ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The NCAA has imposed heavy fines on the University of Michigan’s football program, totaling tens of millions of dollars, and has suspended coach Sherrone Moore for three games. This comes after a long-running sign-stealing controversy that has cast a shadow over one of college football’s most celebrated teams.
In its findings, the NCAA highlighted “overwhelming” evidence of a cover-up by the Michigan staff, noting that they could have imposed harsher penalties, including a multiyear postseason ban. However, they decided against that, stating it would unfairly affect the student-athletes currently involved in the program, who had no part in the misconduct.
The NCAA determined that a complex and unauthorized scouting operation was present in the Michigan football program for three seasons, from 2021 through 2023. This scheme reportedly took place under the oversight of former head coach Jim Harbaugh. The seriousness of the infractions was compounded by attempts to obstruct the investigation, as noted by NCAA officials.
Moore will serve a two-game suspension this season, with an additional suspension for the first game of the 2026-27 season, amounting to three games in total. He also received a two-year show-cause order but can still carry out his coaching responsibilities.
The financial fallout is significant. The program faces penalties exceeding $20 million, which include various fines and a reduction in official recruiting visits. Specifically, there is a $50,000 fine, a 10% penalty on Michigan’s football budget, and a similar cut for scholarships in 2025-26. The penalties also restrict recruiting communications for a period of four years.
Harbaugh, now coaching in the NFL, has received a lengthy show-cause order, which effectively bans him from coaching at the college level for ten years unless the penalties are lifted. A former staff member, Connor Stalions, who orchestrated the sign-stealing operation, faces an eight-year ban from college athletics.
In response to these rulings, Michigan announced that it would appeal the NCAA’s decisions. The university believes the NCAA made fundamental errors in interpreting its rules and reached conclusions not supported by the evidence. Athletic Director Warde Manuel emphasized that a postseason ban should not have been on the table.
The investigation raised questions about the extent of knowledge regarding the scandal within the football program. While Harbaugh claimed he was unaware of the scheme, the NCAA investigation suggested that there was a willful ignorance among staff members.
The NCAA did not have explicit rules against stealing signs; however, it prohibited practices such as sending scouts to in-season games of opponents and using electronic devices for recording signals. The operation, as described by Stalions, was intricate, even including references to “counterintelligence” and humorously referring to his team as the “KGB.”
Over the course of three seasons, a network of individuals scouted future Michigan opponents, capturing video footage of their signals. The NCAA’s findings indicate that Stalions spent significant money on this scouting effort, including $35,000 in one year alone.
Amid these allegations, Stalions, a former volunteer who had been involved with Michigan’s football program for years, has claimed that many in football do similar things. He acknowledged that he knew various signals used by opponents over several games.
The NCAA also pointed out the efforts made to hide the operation, noting that some staff members actively destroyed evidence and provided misleading information during the investigation. The fallout from this incident underscores the importance of integrity and accountability in college sports.
As Michigan prepares to start its season against New Mexico State, coach Moore expressed his commitment to upholding the rules of collegiate athletics and ensuring compliance moving forward.
