Michigan incurs mammoth financial penalty and head coach Sherrone Moore gets extended suspension due to sign-stealing controversy
The Michigan Wolverines football program found itself embroiled in a major scandal in 2023, centring around former staffer Connor Stalions and his role in an off-campus, in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme that spanned from 2021 to 2023.
The Origins and Investigation
The scandal came to light early in the 2023 season, with allegations of a robust sign-stealing operation conducted by Stalions, then a low-level recruiting personnel member at Michigan. Stalions' actions involved directing in-person scouts to gather opponents' signals, some of which were relayed on the sidelines during games.
The NCAA's investigation was extensive, supported by testimonies, ticket receipts, transfer data, and other corroborating evidence. Investigations revealed that Stalions received a game ball from head coach Jim Harbaugh after a 2022 victory, suggesting recognition of his sign-stealing contributions.
The Role of Jim Harbaugh and Staff
The NCAA cited head coach Jim Harbaugh for a Level I head coach responsibility violation due to failure to monitor compliance properly and a lack of cooperation during the investigation. Harbaugh was issued a 10-year show-cause penalty, effectively banning him from college athletics-related activities during this period.
Current head coach Sherrone Moore received a three-game suspension in the 2025 season for a Level II failure to cooperate violation. Moore was also implicated in deleting text messages related to the scandal before they could be provided to investigators.
Former assistant coach Chris Partridge and Michigan booster Tim Smith were cleared of wrongdoing related to the scandal.
Penalties and NCAA Actions
Michigan football was handed major financial sanctions, including a $50,000 fine plus 10% of the football program's budget, a fine equivalent to 10% of the cost of scholarships awarded at the end of the 2025–26 school year, loss of postseason revenue for two seasons, and an extension of the program’s probation by four years.
Staff involved received show-cause orders: Connor Stalions — 8-year show cause, Jim Harbaugh — 10-year show cause, and Denard Robinson — 3-year show cause.
The NCAA clarified that while sign stealing per se is not expressly banned, the use of electronic equipment and impermissible scouting practices violated its regulations.
Context and Aftermath
The Big Ten initially investigated the matter, but after Harbaugh agreed to a three-game suspension during his last season at Michigan (before moving to coach in the NFL), the Big Ten dropped its probe.
Harbaugh’s era at Michigan will be historically associated with this scandal, tarnishing his legacy and limiting his NCAA coaching prospects due to the severe show-cause orders.
The timeline of the scandal spans nearly two years from initial revelations to the NCAA's final ruling in August 2025.
In sum, the scandal exposed an elaborate sign-stealing operation led by Connor Stalions under Jim Harbaugh's program, resulting in harsh financial and personnel penalties by the NCAA and significant reputational damage for the Michigan football program. The NCAA’s role was central in investigating, adjudicating, and enforcing these penalties according to their compliance rules and the head coach responsibility principles.
[1] NCAA Infractions Report: Michigan Football Sign-Stealing Scandal (August 2025) [2] Big Ten Conference Investigative Report: Michigan Football Sign-Stealing Scandal (February 2024) [3] ESPN.com: Michigan Football's Sign-Stealing Scandal: A Timeline (August 2025) [4] The Michigan Daily: Michigan Football's Sign-Stealing Scandal: A Look Back (August 2025) [5] The New York Times: Michigan Football's Sign-Stealing Scandal: The NCAA's Response (August 2025)
- The Michigan Wolverines football program's scandal related to sign-stealing, involving former staffer Connor Stalions, was not limited to the sport of football, as similar practices were observed in the world of American football, including the NCAA.
- General news outlets often cover scandals in the sports world, and this Michigan football sign-stealing controversy certainly made headlines beyond the realm of sports analysis, raising questions about ethical conduct and the responsibility of coaches in ensuring compliance.
- Crime and justice reporting may seem an unusual fit for a sports scandal, but the actions of Connor Stalions, when considering the potential impact on opponents' sports outcomes, could be likened to "gaming the system" or "cheating," suitably aligned with crime-and-justice terminology.
- The Michigan Wolverines football program's sign-stealing scandal of 2023 emphasized the importance of proper monitoring and adherence to regulations in all aspects of sports, from college football to professional leagues, and serves as a precipice for continued discussions on fair play and the accountability of coaches and staff.
