Michigan and the NCAA wrapped two days of hearings and have left Indianapolis with no immediate resolution. But the end is near. Here is when we should expect the Committee on Infraction’s final decision on the Connor Stalions case, which has major implications for Sherrone Moore:
After two days of meetings with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions (COI), representatives from the University of Michigan and NCAA have left Indianapolis with no immediate resolution.
The matter discussed revolves around the Connor Stalions advanced scouting saga — which involved him buying tickets to future opponents’ games and recording their sideline signals — and the 11 violations handed down by the NCAA to the Michigan Wolverines . Six of those violations are deemed a Level I violation, the most serious in nature to the NCAA.
Among the important things — to Michigan fans, at least — that will eventually be revealed is whether or not head coach Sherrone Moore will be given any further penalties after the university issued a self-imposed two-game suspension for Weeks 3 (vs. Central Michigan) and 4 (at Nebraska) of the upcoming season.
When he was an assistant coach for the Wolverines, Moore was involved in what has now infamously been called “Burgergate.” A completely separate issue from this one, the NCAA investigated Jim Harbaugh and others on staff — including Moore — that contacted recruits during a time they weren’t allowed to do so, among other things. The contact took place during a dead period amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Moore was suspended for one game during the 2023 season, deeming him a one-time NCAA violator.
Fast forward to present day, Moore is now faced with the possibility of being considered a repeat violator by the NCAA. He deleted 52 text messages between him and Stalions the day that the story first broke in Oct. 2023. The NCAA was able to recover those texts via device imaging after Moore complied and provided his phone to investigators.
The texts allegedly did not reveal anything that would prove Moore knew what Stalions was up to, and Moore said last August he is looking forward to the texts eventually being made public for all to see.
“I’ll just say that I look forward to (the texts) being released, and that’s it,” Moore said.
What’s still on the table?
Further suspension or penalties for Moore: If the COI determines his actions qualify him as a repeat violator, additional punishment is still possible, including a longer suspension.
Institutional penalties for Michigan: The program could face broader disciplinary action. These penalties can include recruiting restrictions, among other things.
Institutional penalties, scholarship reductions, financial penalties: While less common, scholarship losses and fines are still possible, especially in cases involving numerous Level I violations. Institutional penalties such as recruiting restrictions are also possible.
No additional punishment: If the COI determines the university’s self-imposed penalty on Moore and full cooperation are sufficient, it’s possible Michigan could emerge with no further sanctions.
The question everyone is asking…when will we know the ruling?
It isn’t known exactly when a resolution will be reached, but according to the NCAA, the COI takes 8-12 weeks after the hearing to issue its decision and release the report. With this timeline, we should (hopefully) know everything prior to the start of the 2025 season, which begins for Michigan on Aug. 30 at the Big House against New Mexico.
Regardless, whenever the verdict is reached and released, this will — should, at least — close one of the most wild chapters in the history of the NCAA and Michigan football.