University of Michigan coach Sharon Moore is accused of violating NCAA rules in connection with an investigation into illegal scouting and signal stealing that affected the program leading up to last season’s national championship.
Moore is accused of deleting text messages from Connor Stallions, a former junior recruiter who coordinated an advanced scouting operation off campus, around the time the investigation began, according to three people briefed on the NCAA’s notice of allegations that the University of Michigan is expected to receive Sunday.
Stallions resigned from the University of Michigan football team in November 2023 amid allegations of signal stealing.
The Stallions will break their silence on August 27th when their documentary “Sign Stealer” debuts on the streaming service.
One person said the NCAA recommended Moore be given a Level 2 violation, with Level I being the most serious, and that the NCAA was able to recover messages exchanged between Moore and the Stallions.
ESPN first reported Sunday that it had obtained a draft copy of the notice of allegations, which may differ from the final version of the document sent to Michigan.
Moore, 38, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach when Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, where he led the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997.
Moore took over as interim coach four times last season while Harbaugh was suspended, winning all four games, including the season-finale against rival Ohio State.
Harvey denied any knowledge of the illegal scouting while participating in the program, but could face a Level 1 violation.
After investigating the signal-stealing incident at the University of Michigan, the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 regular season to punish Michigan for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said earlier this year that the Wolverines “rightfully” won the national championship.
The NCAA, which prohibits direct scouting, investigated Michigan’s alleged system to see how organized it was and who knew what. According to records from other Big Ten schools, the Stallions purchased tickets to countless games involving future opponents and sent people to digitally record the teams when they called plays.
Moore and Michigan could face more serious charges from the NCAA for repeat offenses following separate investigations into recruiting violations.
Last December, the NCAA sent Michigan a notice of potential violations of its policy regarding illegal recruiting and coaching activities on and off campus during the COVID-19 shutdown, which prompted the school to suspend Harbaugh for three games to start the season.
Moore was suspended for one game by the school. Michigan used a different substitute coach for each of those three season-opening games.
The case was settled in April through a negotiated settlement between Michigan and the NCAA. The school received three years of probation, but Harbaugh was not involved in the settlement negotiations.
Harbaugh previously said he would not agree to allegations of unethical conduct for not being honest with NCAA investigators, according to people familiar with the situation. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been shared.
The recent Michigan case is months away from being resolved. Under NCAA policy, schools must respond to a notice of allegations within 90 days. After responding, the school will have a hearing before the NCAA Infractions Committee, but a negotiated resolution is still possible.
Associated Press reports.
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