Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is facing allegations that he violated NCAA rules related to an investigation into impermissible patrolling and sign theft that hung over the program during last season’s national championship run.
Three people who were briefed on the contents of an NCAA notice about allegations that Michigan is expected to receive soon told the Associated Press on Sunday that Moore is accused of deleting text messages from Connor Stalions — the former low-level recruiting employee who coordinated an off-campus enhanced reconnaissance operation – at the time the investigation was opened.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the notification was confidential.
One of the people said the NCAA recommended a Level 2 violation for Moore — Level I is the most serious — and that the NCAA was able to recover the messages exchanged between Moore and Stalions.
ESPN first reported Sunday that it had obtained a copy of a draft notice of allegations, which may differ from the final version of the document sent to Michigan.
“Our athletic department and university continue to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation,” Michigan said in a statement. “We do not have an update to share on its status at this time.”
The NCAA declined comment.
Moore, 38, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach when Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to become coach of the San Diego Chargers, shortly after leading the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997.
Moore served as interim head coach four times last season while Harbaugh served a suspension, winning all four games, including the season finale against rival Ohio State.
Harbaugh denied any knowledge of unacceptable scouting while he was in the program, although he could face Level I violations.
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 following the conference’s investigation into the sign-stealing scheme.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said earlier this year that the Wolverines won the national championship “fair and square.”
In-person scouting is prohibited by the NCAA, which investigated Michigan’s alleged system to determine how organized it was and who knew about it. Records from other Big Ten schools show Stallions bought tickets to several games involving future opponents, sending people to digitally record the teams as they signaled their plays.
He was initially placed on leave by the school and later resigned.
Stallions will break its silence on August 27th on Netflix, when the documentary “Signal Thief” makes its debut on the streaming service.
Moore and Michigan could face more serious charges from the NCAA as repeat offenders soon after a separate investigation into recruiting violations.
Last December, the NCAA sent Michigan a notice of allegations regarding impermissible on- and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and coaching activities, potential violations that led to the school’s self-imposed three-game suspension of Harbaugh to begin with. the season.
Moore was suspended for one game by the school. Michigan used a different interim coach for each of the season’s opening three games.
The case was resolved in April through a negotiated settlement between Michigan and the NCAA. The school received three years of probation, although Harbaugh did not participate in the settlement negotiations.
Harbaugh previously told NCAA investigators that he would not agree to an unethical conduct charge because he was not forthright, according to several people familiar with the situation. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been made public.
Michigan’s latest case will likely take months — at least — to resolve. NCAA policy gives schools 90 days to respond to a notice of allegations. After a response, the school would be scheduled for a hearing before the NCAA committee on infractions, although a negotiated resolution was still possible.
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