The NCAA has officially issued a Notice of Allegations (NOA) to Michigan football concerning the program’s sign-stealing scandal, which is reportedly connected to former staff member Connor Stalions.
On Sunday, a Michigan spokesperson confirmed to the Free Press that the NOA accuses seven staff members from the 2023 team of breaching NCAA regulations. This NOA was received roughly three weeks after the NCAA sent a draft NOA outlining potential violations and penalties, which included consequences for first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. The updated NOA might include new details.
In early August, ESPN obtained the draft NOA, which suggested that Moore, who took over following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, could face a suspension and a show-cause penalty. The draft noted that Moore deleted 52 text messages with Stalions, which constitutes a Level II NCAA violation, on the same day Stalions was identified as the leader of the sign-stealing scheme.
Harbaugh, Stalions, former recruiting staffer and quarterback Denard Robinson, and former linebackers coach Chris Partridge face Level I NCAA violations. Additionally, ex-defensive coaches Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale are implicated in recruiting violations unrelated to the Stalions case. The draft NOA indicated no evidence of Harbaugh’s awareness of the sign-stealing but accused him of failing to cooperate with the NCAA by refusing to provide access to his messages and phone records.
NBC Sports reported that “most of” the information from the leaked draft NOA remains unchanged. Minter and Robinson are reportedly negotiating a resolution with the NCAA, while the others will face the Committee of Infractions. Harbaugh and Moore are viewed as repeat offenders due to the ongoing investigation into COVID-era recruiting violations.
Michigan will begin its national title defense on Saturday against Fresno State (7:30 p.m., NBC) at Michigan Stadium.
Yahoo was the first to report Michigan’s receipt of the NOA.
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