The Michigan football program has received the official Notice of Allegations from the NCAA regarding the Connor Stalions/sign-stealing investigation:
As first reported by Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports on Sunday afternoon, the Michigan Wolverines ’ football program has received the NCAA’s official Notice of Allegations (NOA) pertaining to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing case.
Michigan now has 90 days to respond to the NCAA’s NOA. After that, the NCAA will have up to 60 days to reply to the university. Most hearings in front of the Committee on Infractions, according to The Detroit News’ Angelique Chenglis , are scheduled roughly two months out following the final reply, so it seems to be a very real possibility this case isn’t completely resolved until after the 2024 season.
The official NOA, according to Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports, kept “most of what has previously been reported from ESPN regarding the draft NOA.” However, Auerbach also reported that former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and former recruiting staffer Denard Robinson are in discussions with the NCAA to reach a negotiated resolution, making this a split case.
A vital piece to this update is that since the other NCAA investigation — “Burgergate,” as it’s been infamously referred to — is complete, head coach Sherrone Moore and former head coach Jim Harbaugh can be considered repeat violators by the NCAA. This is obviously more important for Moore, as a repeat violation could result in a show-cause penalty and possibly a suspension.
Moore is facing a Level 2 violation due to him allegedly deleting 52 text messages between him and Stalions last October on the same day the media originally reported the sign-stealing investigation. Moore recently told the media he is “looking forward” to the messages being release publicly.
Harbaugh received a four-year show-cause by the NCAA over Burgergate. Should he be found of any wrongdoing — which could include him simply not knowing all that was going on within the program — he could receive additional penalties. Of course, he is now back in the NFL, so it’s likely any further punishment would not affect him all that much, if at all.
This news update comes just two days before the documentary entitled “Sign-Stealer” is set to be released on Netflix , and just six days before Michigan opens its national title-defending 2024 season under the lights of the Big House against Fresno State.