Sherrone Moore’s Wolverines face major setback ahead of NCAAF season amid sign-stealing controversy

One of the most high-profile scandals in recent college football history involved the Michigan Wolverines and the alleged stealing of both offensive and defensive signals from opposing teams. The storied program, which recently won a national championship under Jim Harbaugh, received an unprecedented ruling against it — a decision that also implicates current head coach Sherrone Moore.

The 2023 National Championship Game, in which the Wolverines convincingly defeated the Washington Huskies 34–13, was preceded by serious allegations that the team had been involved in signal stealing — accusations centered around former staff analyst Connor Stalions.

In response to the situation, the authorities have officially announced the punishment for the program — a decision that was first reported by college football insider Pete Thamel via his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Among the most notable penalties are not only financial sanctions, but also individual punishments handed down to Moore, Harbaugh, and Stalions. Sherrone Moore received a two-year show-cause order, during which he is suspended for a total of three games. Jim Harbaugh was given a 10-year show-cause penalty, and Connor Stalions was issued an eight-year show-cause order, restricting him from participating in any athletically related activities throughout that period.

What happened with the Wolverines?

In one of the biggest stories of the college football offseason, the NCAA has levied a series of historic penalties against the Michigan Wolverines stemming from the sign-stealing scandal that rocked their national championship season.

The investigation found that former analyst Connor Stalions orchestrated a comprehensive in-person scouting network, a violation of NCAA rules. As a result, Michigan has been hit with a massive fine, reportedly exceeding $20 million, along with a four-year probation period.

Additionally, former head coach Jim Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause order, while current coach Sherrone Moore and Stalions were also handed significant suspensions and penalties. While the Wolverines avoided a postseason ban, the sanctions are a stark reminder of the long-term repercussions of the scandal.