The defending college football champions may commence the season without their head coach for the second consecutive year.
Reports indicate that a notice of allegations (NOA) reveals Michigan’s new head coach, Sherrone Moore, is accused of breaching NCAA regulations in connection with the football program’s sign-stealing probe.
Moore, who succeeded Jim Harbaugh after Harbaugh accepted a position with the Los Angeles Chargers, is allegedly charged with deleting over 50 text messages exchanged with Connor Stalions – the former low-level recruiting staff member who oversaw an off-campus, advanced-scouting operation – coinciding with the commencement of the investigation.
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Sherrone Moore (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images/File)
The alleged NOA states that Moore is accused of committing a Level 2 violation, where Level 1 is the most severe.
“Our athletic department and university are continuing to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation,” Michigan stated in a report to the Associated Press. “Currently, we do not have an update regarding its status.”
At 38, Moore was elevated from offensive coordinator to head coach when Harbaugh departed Michigan for Los Angeles after guiding the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997.
Moore served as the acting head coach four times last season while Harbaugh faced suspensions, winning all four games, including the decisive match against rival Ohio State.
Harbaugh has refuted any knowledge of unauthorized scouting during his tenure with the program, though he may also contend with Level 1 violations.
Jim Harbaugh (Justin Casterline/Getty Images/File)
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Stalions stepped down from his position in November, shortly after the investigation commenced. He was initially placed on paid suspension by the university. His LinkedIn profile described him as an off-field analyst for the football team.
Despite the suspensions and controversies, Michigan clinched the College Football Playoff against Washington, with a final score of 34-13.
Following two touchdowns in the championship game, running back Blake Corum (currently with the Los Angeles Rams) defended the legitimacy of the title amid accusations of signal stealing.
“At the end of the day, what more do you want us to prove, man? Everything that came out at the beginning of the season was questioned, and then you said we stole signals,” he remarked in an interview with Fox News Digital. “We traveled and defeated Penn State, took down Ohio State, overcame Iowa, beat Alabama, and bested Washington. Each of these teams ranks in the top 10 in every category, both offensively and defensively. We did our job.”
Blake Corum of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies during the CFP National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston on Jan. 8, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Michigan is set to commence its title defense on August 31 against Fresno State; they will face Washington in a rematch of the championship game on October 5, as both teams are now Big Ten rivals following the reconfiguration of the Pac-12.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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