New Michigan Coach Faces NCAA Sanctions Over Connor Stalions Scandal

Sherrone Moore, the new head coach of the University of Michigan’s football team, is facing potential NCAA sanctions due to his alleged involvement in the Connor Stalions scandal. According to a report from ESPN, Moore is accused of deleting text messages with Stalions, a former Michigan staffer who was at the center of a scheme to decipher teams’ play calls via advanced scouting.

The NCAA has not yet issued an official notice of allegations, but Moore has been named in the draft, which could result in a show-cause penalty and possible suspension. The draft states that Moore deleted a thread of 52 text messages with Stalions in October 2023, the same day that Stalions was revealed to be leading the effort to capture playcalling signals of future opponents.

Moore was Michigan’s longtime offensive coordinator and served as the team’s interim coach when Jim Harbaugh was suspended at the beginning and end of the season. Harbaugh’s suspension came from the Big Ten as part of the advanced scouting scheme, which is against NCAA rules.

The NCAA has also verified that Stalions was on the sideline at Central Michigan for the Chippewas’ game against Michigan State in Week 1 last season, wearing CMU gear. It is unclear how he gained access to the team’s sideline and why he was wearing the gear.

Stalions was suspended and then ultimately resigned in November as the scandal became the storyline of the 2023 college football season. Despite multiple suspensions for Harbaugh, Michigan went 15-0 and won the national title after beating Alabama and Washington in the College Football Playoff.

Stalions has not cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation, but he will have a chance to share his side of the story soon. He sat down with Netflix’s "Untold" series for an episode about the Michigan scandal.