Michigan Wolverines Hit with Major NCAA Violations Amid Sign-Stealing Scandal Involving Former Staffer
August 4, 2024ESPN has obtained a draft of the NCAA's Notice of Allegations (NOA) concerning the Michigan Wolverines and the ongoing investigation into a sign-stealing scandal involving former staffer Connor Stalions.
Stalions resigned in November 2023 after it was revealed that he orchestrated a scheme to illegally capture playcalling signals from opponents through unauthorized scouting.
New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is implicated in NCAA violations for deleting 52 text messages with Stalions on the same day media reported on the signal-stealing scheme.
The NCAA was able to recover Moore's deleted texts through device imaging, which he later submitted to the enforcement staff.
The NCAA has accused Moore of a Level 2 violation, which could result in a show-cause penalty and a potential suspension.
The University of Michigan faces a Level 1 violation for a pattern of noncompliance and for hindering the NCAA's investigation.
Former staff member Chris Partridge is accused of pressuring a player to mislead NCAA investigators and committing multiple Level 2 violations unrelated to Stalions.
The Big Ten previously suspended former head coach Jim Harbaugh for three games due to violations related to the impermissible scouting operation.
While there is no direct evidence linking Harbaugh to Stalions' operations, he failed to recognize the warning signs of the scheme, which involved several interns and staff.
The NCAA alleges that multiple team interns and staff were aware of and participated in Stalions' scheme, raising significant integrity concerns.
The ongoing investigation is perceived by some as driven by ulterior motives, with the leak of the NOA draft seen as an attempt to control the narrative surrounding the scandal.
Summary based on 10 sources
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Sources
ABC News • Aug 4, 2024
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore violated NCAA rules, NOA draft saysCBSSports.com • Aug 4, 2024
Michigan's Sherrone Moore could face suspension, show-cause penalty from NCAA in sign-stealing investigationDetroit Free Press • Aug 4, 2024
Sherrone Moore among 7 Michigan football coaches in hot water over sign-stealing scandalYahoo Sports • Aug 4, 2024
Report: New Michigan coach Sherrone Moore could face NCAA sanctions in Connor Stalions scandal