NCAA to release Michigan findings Friday

The NCAA will publicly share its findings on an alleged sign stealing and scouting scheme linked to Michigan football.

NCAA to release findings from Michigan football investigation Friday

The NCAA says its findings on the Michigan football investigation will be released Friday around noon. The probe, opened Oct 19, 2023, centers on former operations analyst Connor Stalions and a claimed illegal scouting and sign stealing scheme. Michigan faced 11 allegations, six of them Level I, and the program endured a three game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh related to information the NCAA provided to the Big Ten.

Key details include the NCAA’s stance on in person advanced scouting and the prohibition on recording signals with electronic equipment. Sherrone Moore, then the offensive coordinator, deleted 52 text messages with Stalions when the case broke and has acknowledged the deletion. Moore previously served a one game suspension in 2023 tied to a separate 2021 recruiting investigation. Michigan has argued for common sense and has said the NCAA was overreaching in its findings. The program already operates under a three year probation from a 2021 recruiting case, plus recruiting limits and a fine. A parallel inquiry at Central Michigan University involving Stalions is ongoing and resolved separately, with CMU issuing an NOA in June 2025.

Editorial observers will watch how the NCAA handles this case to gauge its willingness to enforce rules across programs with different levels of influence. The investigation tests the league’s commitment to uniform penalties after past criticism that sanctions can feel uneven or delayed. The focus on electronic signaling and in person scouting highlights a cultural clash inside college football between rapid innovation and strict compliance.

Beyond the courtroom of infractions, the episode poses reputational questions for Michigan and for the sport’s governing bodies. Michigan's leadership changes, including Harbaugh’s exit, compound the stakes for the program’s credibility and recruiting. The NCAA’s approach in this case could set a precedent that shapes how other programs monitor staff behavior, respond to evidence, and communicate with the public during sensitive investigations.

Highlights

The coming findings will shape how fans view Michigan and how the sport handles complex investigations.