Michigan Receives NCAA Notice of Allegations in Stalions, Sign-Stealing Case

The NCAA took the next step toward resolving its investigation into the Michigan football program's sign-stealing scandal.

Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday the NCAA delivered the full notice of allegations to the Wolverines regarding the scandal that centered around former staff member Connor Stalions.

The NCAA then released a statement: "The NCAA can confirm that a Notice of Allegations has been distributed to the school and involved parties in the Michigan investigation. To protect the integrity of the infractions process as the case progresses forward, the NCAA will not provide any further comment on the specifics included."

Stalions' attorneys Brad Beckworth and Nathan Hall later released a statement, according to The Athletic's Austin Meek, Chris Vannini and Sam Khan Jr.: "This investigation has been a witch hunt from day one intended to besmirch Michigan and Coach (Jim) Harbaugh," said Beckworth and Hall. "Connor is a scapegoat in the NCAA's ongoing quest to show that it has a purpose in today's sports world."

This comes after ESPN's Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel reported they obtained a draft of the NCAA's notice of allegations on Aug. 4.

They noted Stalions spearheaded the efforts to illegally scout and obtain the signs of at least 13 future opponents on 58 different occasions from 2021 to 2023. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as former staff members Chris Partridge, Denard Robinson and Stalions, were facing allegations of Level 1 violations.

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 campaign because of recruiting violations and the final three games of the regular season for the sign-stealing scandal.

While he is now with the Chargers, he could face a "show-cause" restriction if he returns to the college ranks in the future.

"No one's perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right," Harbaugh told reporters on Aug. 5. "Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations."

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

It is not just former staff members, as current head coach Sherrone Moore—who filled in as the interim when Harbaugh was suspended last year—could be facing a show-cause penalty and potential suspension after he allegedly deleted 52 text messages with Stalions. Moore was facing allegations of Level 2 violations.

Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports noted the majority of what ESPN reported earlier this month still stands:

However, she reported that Harbaugh and Moore can both be seen as repeat violators regarding the investigation into the sign-stealing scandal since the NCAA considers the recruiting violations case resolved.

The NCAA seeing such key figures in the program as repeat violators could open the door to stiffer penalties.

This comes as Michigan is preparing to defend its College Football Playoff national championship. It is No. 9 in the country to start the season and remains among the sport's top programs.

Yet the Wolverines were just 49-22 overall, 0-5 against rival Ohio State and failed to reach the CFP a single time under Harbaugh before the alleged scheme started in 2021. His job also seemed to be in jeopardy.

They quickly turned things around as the scheme was allegedly happening from 2021 to 2023 and went 40-3 overall, 3-0 against the Buckeyes and reached the College Football Playoff three times.