The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535358
22 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2025 BY CHRIS BALAS E SPN's Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel reported, and The Wolverine con- firmed May 5, that Michigan is expected to suspend head coach Sherrone Moore two games this fall as part of self-im- posed sanctions for his role in what's be- come known as "Signgate," the advanced scouting operation run by former staffer Connor Stalions. Though there's no evidence Moore was aware of the extent of the operation or involved in it, his "failure to cooper- ate" per reports — specifically, deleting 52 text messages with Stalions when the news of his operation first broke, even though they were deemed "innocuous" by those who saw them — are grounds for punishment per the NCAA. As has been previously reported, U-M has been continuously negotiating with the NCAA on potential punishments prior to a scheduled hearing this summer (June 6-7, per reports). Moore's attorneys continue to work on it, too, with the hope of putting it behind the coach before the season begins. As for the two games … sources tell us Moore didn't want to miss the Wol- verines' September game at Oklahoma, a return to his alma mater, so the plan is to have him sit the third and fourth games, Central Michigan and Nebraska, instead. In addition, Moore would not be allowed to take part in any practice preparation for either of these games. There will be added recruiting restric- tions for the Michigan coach that could keep him off the road. Michigan's initial response to the NCAA was emphatic — that the NCAA was "overstepping" on several of the issues. With former coach Jim Har- baugh having moved on, the sever- est punishment might be reserved for Moore. Sources have said Michigan is preparing to defend itself from being "convicted" without evidence or on vio- lations "that, by the letter of the NCAA's own law, are nothing more than minor violations." "If the NCAA is not willing to do that, they'll have to go through the appeals process and litigate this," one source noted, adding it could take a few years. "Then it's much longer if it goes before an appeals committee, and even longer if litigation takes place," another source added. "That's up to the NCAA. They can follow their own bylaws, or they can litigate. They want to punish Michigan without evidence." Sources also say Moore's lawyers con- tinue to negotiate with the NCAA about a settlement leading up to a hearing with the committee on infractions, and that the penalties will be "assessed either as self-imposed penalties by Michigan or agreed-upon penalties if Coach Moore's counsel is able to satisfy the negotiated resolution of the failure to cooperate charge." Among the other proposed punish- ments are a 7.5 percent reduction in official visits for one year and a three- week prohibition on recruiting commu- nications and unofficial visits. Michigan coaches were not seen on the road re- cently during a live period, though it's not clear if those are punishments relat- ing to a previous Notice of Allegations for illegal contact with recruits during a dead period. There is also talk of a reduction of in-person recruiting days (just over 10 percent, so probably around 20 days). In addition, it's been proposed that Moore will not be allowed to recruit on Friday nights during 2025 regular season road games and could receive a letter of ad- monishment. "Michigan is making a wish and rolling the dice by self-imposing," On3 national columnist Andy Staples wrote. "The wish is that this — along with some re- cruiting restrictions — will end Moore's part in the Connor Stalions scandal. The ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Michigan Could Suspend Sherrone Moore For Two Games Michigan is reportedly self-imposing penalties on Moore, including a two-game suspension and restrictions on his ability to recruit, in order to preempt potential NCAA sanctions for the "Signgate" issue. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL