NCAA to Announce Ruling on Michigan Football Sign-Stealing Scandal Friday

Ann Arbor, Mich. – The NCAA’s long-running investigation into the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal is expected to reach a conclusion on Friday, according to multiple sources. The NCAA Committee on Infractions will publicly announce its findings in a case that has become one of the most controversial in recent college football history.

Sources told ESPN that involved parties were notified on Thursday of the upcoming decision. A news conference is expected Friday afternoon, during which NCAA officials will outline the ruling, potential penalties, and the reasoning behind their decision.

The Allegations Against Michigan Football

At the center of the case is former Michigan football staffer Connor Stallions, accused of orchestrating an extensive and impermissible in-person scouting operation. According to a draft of the NCAA’s notice of allegations obtained by ESPN, Stallions arranged for individuals to attend games in person and record the sideline signals of future opponents. This practice violates NCAA rules prohibiting advance in-person scouting, although sign-stealing during games is not banned.

The investigation alleges that from 2021 through the middle of the 2023 season, Stalions coordinated the scouting of at least 13 future opponents on a minimum of 58 occasions. In some instances, teams were allegedly scouted multiple times in a season, including one that was observed seven times in 2022.

Evidence reportedly shows Stalions purchased tickets under his own name and sometimes through associates, covering nearly every Big Ten venue. The scheme, uncovered during the 2023 season, led to Stalions’ resignation.

Serious NCAA Charges and Potential Penalties

Michigan football, along with several current and former coaches, has been charged with 11 violations, including six Level I violations, the most severe category in NCAA enforcement. These charges carry the possibility of suspensions, substantial fines, and show-cause penalties.

Current head coach Sherrone Moore is facing a potential two-game suspension for deleting a thread of 52 text messages with Stalions on October 19, 2023, the day the scandal became public. The messages were later recovered and reportedly did not indicate Moore had prior knowledge of Stalions’ actions. Still, the NCAA charged Moore with failure to cooperate.

Adding to Moore’s situation is his disciplinary history. In August 2023, he resolved allegations related to contacting recruits during a COVID-19 recruiting dead period, serving a one-game suspension. The NCAA could classify him as a repeat violator.

Michigan has proposed that Moore serve his suspension during the team’s third and fourth games of the upcoming season, but it remains unclear if the NCAA will approve this timing or impose a stricter penalty.

Impact on Former Coaches

Former head coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, could also face a show-cause penalty. This sanction functions as a ban from NCAA employment for a set period unless a school successfully appeals. Harbaugh has already faced NCAA discipline in recent years, including a four-year show-cause penalty in August 2024 for a separate case involving improper contact with recruits. The Big Ten Conference also suspended him for three games in 2023 under its sportsmanship rules.

Other former Michigan football assistants named in the investigation may be subject to suspensions, fines, or similar employment restrictions. Stalions himself is also a candidate for a show-cause penalty.

Given recent trends in NCAA enforcement, sweeping program penalties such as postseason bans are unlikely. Instead, the focus is expected to be on individual sanctions and potentially a significant fine against the Michigan football program.

How the Scheme Allegedly Operated

The NCAA’s case outlines a coordinated effort to gain a competitive advantage through prohibited in-person scouting. Stalions is accused of using personal funds to purchase tickets and arranging for others to record video of opponents’ sideline activity. This footage was allegedly used to decode play-calling signals before matchups.

While decoding signals during a live game is allowed, the NCAA emphasizes that advance in-person scouting crosses the line into an unfair competitive advantage. By gathering intelligence before a game, a team could enter the matchup with an unusual level of preparation.

Michigan Football’s Defense and Public Stance

Throughout the investigation, Michigan football officials have maintained that no current or former coaching staff, aside from Stalions, had knowledge of the scheme. The university presented its defense during a two-day hearing before the NCAA infractions committee in early June.

Despite the controversy, Michigan football continued its 2023 season without Stalions and went on to win the national championship. This outcome has fueled debate among fans, analysts, and rival programs over whether the alleged actions provided a meaningful competitive edge.

The university’s proactive move to propose Moore’s suspension was part of an effort to demonstrate accountability and possibly mitigate harsher penalties. Whether the NCAA views this as sufficient remains to be seen.

Upcoming Decision and Season Impact

The NCAA’s ruling is set to come just two weeks before the start of the 2025 season. Michigan football, ranked No. 14 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, will open at home against New Mexico on August 30, followed by a road trip to face No. 18 Oklahoma on September 6.

Potential penalties could impact both on-field performance and off-field operations, depending on whether key staff members are suspended during critical early-season games. Additionally, the size of any financial penalty could influence future budget allocations for the athletic department.

Why This Case Matters Beyond Michigan Football

The Michigan football sign-stealing investigation comes at a time when NCAA enforcement is under increasing scrutiny. Critics have pointed to inconsistencies in how penalties are applied, with some cases resulting in severe institutional punishments and others focusing primarily on individuals.

If the Committee on Infractions continues its recent trend, the heaviest sanctions in this case may fall on the individuals directly involved rather than the program as a whole. However, a sizable fine could signal the NCAA’s intent to use financial penalties as a meaningful deterrent in high-profile cases.

A Defining Moment for the Program

Friday’s announcement will be more than just a verdict on past actions. It will shape the immediate future of Michigan football, influence public perception of the program, and potentially set a precedent for how the NCAA handles similar cases in the years ahead.

Given the Wolverines’ national profile, recent championship success, and the unusual nature of the allegations, the ruling is certain to be closely analyzed and debated across the college football landscape.

For Michigan football, the coming days will determine whether this chapter becomes a temporary distraction or a defining moment that reshapes the program’s reputation for years to come.