NCAA penalizes Michigan with a hefty fine, schedule includes additional game due to violations
Michigan Football Team Faces Three-Game Suspension for Coach and Various Penalties from NCAA
The University of Michigan's football program is facing a series of penalties following an investigation into a sign-stealing scandal involving impermissible scouting and recruiting violations. The NCAA has handed down a punishment that includes a public reprimand and censure, enhanced probation for four years, financial penalties, and individual penalties for coaches.
The financial penalties imposed on the university include an institutional fine of $50,000, a 10% fine on the football program's budget, a fine equivalent to the anticipated loss of postseason revenue sharing for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and a fine equal to the cost of 10% of all football scholarships for the 2025-26 season.
Michigan will also experience a 25% reduction in football official visits during the 2025-26 season and a 14-week prohibition on recruiting communications during the probation period.
Individual penalties include a two-year show-cause order and a three-game suspension for Coach Sherrone Moore, including the first game of the 2026-27 season. Connor Stalions, an analytics assistant for the team, received an eight-year show-cause order. Former coach Jim Harbaugh faces a 10-year show-cause order following the conclusion of his previous four-year order in 2028.
The penalties were levied due to the program's involvement in a sign-stealing scheme, which is considered a serious violation of NCAA rules. The scheme involved improper scouting and recruiting practices, including unauthorized activities by staff members who failed to cooperate with NCAA investigations.
Despite the severity of the infractions, the NCAA did not impose a postseason ban, which might have been more severe if the decision had been made sooner. The University of Michigan's football stadium is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Michigan Stadium is the venue where the team's games are played.
Jim Harbaugh, a head coach for the team, is still with the program and will face a 10-year show-cause order following the conclusion of his previous four-year order in 2028. Connor Stalions, who received an eight-year show-cause order, was previously an assistant football coach at Belleville High School.
The NCAA fined Michigan tens of millions of dollars, but the exact amount has not been disclosed. The team has played games against Rutgers, Western Michigan, and Washington, among others. The team has also played a game in Seattle.
[1] NCAA announces penalties for Michigan football program
[2] Michigan football receives punishment from NCAA
[3] Michigan football's punishment from NCAA: What it means
[1] The Michigan football program has been handed down a series of penalties by the NCAA as a result of an investigation into a sign-stealing scandal, which included football-related violations.
[2] The punishment meted out by the NCAA includes a three-game suspension for head coach Sherrone Moore during the 2026-27 season, a 14-week ban on recruiting communications, and financial penalties totalling tens of millions of dollars.
