Michigan receives allegations from NCAA in Stallions and sign-stealing case | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The NCAA has taken the next step in resolving its investigation into the Michigan football program's sign-stealing scandal.

Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday that the NCAA has served the Wolverines with all allegations related to the scandal involving former employee Connor Stalions.

The NCAA then released a statement: “The NCAA can confirm that a notice of the allegations has been distributed to the school and the parties involved in the Michigan investigation. To protect the integrity of the violations process as the case progresses, the NCAA will not provide any further comment on the details contained therein.”

They found that Stalions had led efforts to illegally scout and obtain signatures from at least 13 future opponents on 58 separate occasions between 2021 and 2023. Allegations of Level 1 violations were made against former head coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as former staff members Chris Partridge, Denard Robinson and Stalions.

The Stalions resigned during the 2023 season, while Harbaugh is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season for recruiting rule violations and the final three games of the regular season because of the sign-stealing scandal.

Although he is currently with the Chargers, he could face a show-cause restriction if he returns to college in the future.

“Nobody is perfect. When you make a mistake, you apologize and make it right,” Harbaugh told reporters on August 5. “Today I am not apologizing. I did not participate in, was not aware of, or complicit in the allegations in question.”

In addition to the individuals, Murphy and Thamel reported that the program was also a Level 1 violation due to its “pattern of noncompliance.”

It's not just former staff members, current head coach Sherrone Moore — who stepped in as interim coach when Harbaugh was suspended last year — could face a show-cause penalty and possible suspension after allegedly deleting 52 text messages with the Stalions. Moore has faced allegations of Level 2 violations.

Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports noted that most of what ESPN reported earlier this month still holds true:

She reported that Harbaugh and Moore can both be considered repeat offenders in the investigation into the sign-stealing scandal, as the NCAA considers the recruiting violations case closed.

If the NCAA finds such key figures in the program to be repeat offenders, it could result in harsher penalties.

This comes as Michigan prepares to defend its national College Football Playoff title. It is ranked No. 9 in the country entering the season and remains one of the top teams in the sport.

Still, the Wolverines finished with just a 49-22 record overall, 0-5 against rival Ohio State, and failed to make the CFP once under Harbaugh before the alleged scheme began in 2021. His job also seemed in jeopardy.

They quickly managed to turn things around, with the scheme supposedly running from 2021-2023, reaching a 40-3 overall record, a 3-0 record against the Buckeyes, and reaching the College Football Playoffs three times.