After Jim Harbaugh, Sherrone Moore to face penalties following NCAA investigation as Connor Stalions controversy catches fire again

Sherrone Moore is one of seven coaches from the Michigan Wolverines to face penalties, according to a draft notice from the NCAA that was obtained by ESPN, ESPN.com reported on Sunday. The result could lead the new head coach to be suspended.

According to the notice, Moore is accused of deleting 52 text messages that Moore had with Connor Stalions, the Michigan staffer behind the 2023 sign-stealing scandal, on the day the news of the sign stealing broke. The texts were later recovered, and Moore shared them with the relevant authorities, according to the notice.

Moore could face severe punishment as he is considered by the NCAA as a "repeat offender." As well as being involved with the sign-stealing scandal, Moore had also been accused of contacting recruits during a time when this was not allowed to happen.

But Moore, who was the offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh the past few seasons, is not the only member of the Michigan coaching staff who is being punished.

Harbaugh, Chris Partridge, Denard Robinson and Connor Stalions, all of whom are no longer with the Wolverines, have been accused of Level 1 violations. This is the highest and most severe level of violation that the NCAA can give out.

Harbaugh is now the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving the Wolverines in early 2024. While he is now not under the jurisdiction of the NCAA, if he ever returns to college football, he may receive a punishment.

Additionally, the school faces a Level 1 violation due to the University of Michigan's "pattern of noncompliance within the football program" and institutional efforts to hinder or thwart the NCAA's investigation," according to the report.

How has Michigan responded and what impact will it have on the 2024 season?

In response to the draft notice, a Michigan Wolverines spokesperson told ESPN:

"Our athletic department and university continue to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation. We do not have an update to share regarding its status at this time."

The fallout from the sign-stealing scandal could have an impact on this year's Michigan team, which will be coming into the season as the defending national champion.

However, this team is completely different from the one that went undefeated last season, as many of its stars and coaches left the program to enter the NFL. This leaves the team in a weaker position, and many predict that it will struggle to defeat Ohio State this season.

Things may get worse for Michigan in the coming weeks. At the moment, Sherrone Moore has not been suspended, but if he is, his absence will be felt in the locker room.

Finally, the main figure involved in the scandal, Connor Stalions, has not been heard from But he may tell his story in a Netflix documentary that will air at the end of the month, and this could reveal things that make life uncomfortable for the Michigan Wolverines.