“Death penalty now” “So cooked”: CFB fans left debating as Michigan HC Sherrone Moore gets roped in NCAA-Connor Stalions investigation

New Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is set to be indicted in the ongoing NCAA sign-stealing investigation involving the Wolverines. According to ESPN, he is among seven members of the program from the previous season accused of violating NCAA rules.

Moore was Michigan’s offensive coordinator during the 2023 college football season before becoming the head coach following Jim Harbaugh's departure. He also served as the offensive line coach and led the team in four games last season while Harbaugh was suspended.

The latest revelation by ESPN has sparked a series of reactions across the college football world. Many fans are mocking the Wolverines, who won the national championship last season amid the sign-stealing allegation. Here’s a look at some of the reactions online:

"I see a lot of allegations but no proof? Not saying they didn’t do some of it but NCAA has no credibility so hard to believe anything they say," one fan said.

Other reactions from fans:

"I’m shocked," a fan wrote.

"Lock him up," another fan wrote.

"Don't feel like a nothing burger to me," a fan commented.

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Sherrone Moore likely facing an NCAA suspension

According to an NCAA draft obtained by ESPN, Sherrone Moore could face a show-cause penalty and a potential suspension for allegedly deleting a thread of 52 text messages exchanged with former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions. The draft is, however, said to be subject to potential changes.

This incident reportedly took place in October 2023, on the same day media reports revealed that Stalions was leading an effort to capture the play-calling signals of future opponents. Moore is now accused of committing a Level 2 violation according to the NCAA draft.

The draft indicates that the texts were later recovered through device imaging while Moore eventually provided them to the enforcement staff. The Committee of Infraction had requested access to the laptops of several members of the program since the start of its investigation.

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh alongside a couple of assistant coaches was also accused of a violation in the draft obtained by ESPN. Harbaugh left Ann Arbor in January after leading the program to the national championship to take the Los Angeles Chargers job.

With impending sanctions on the university and its present and former coaching staff, Michigan has expressed its commitment to continue to work alongside the governing body in the sign-stealing investigation.

"Our athletic department and university continue to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation,” a Michigan spokesman told ESPN. “We do not have an update to share regarding its status at this time.”

The NCAA investigators into the allegation also claim that multiple team interns and at least one other full-time team employee were aware of and participated in the scheme. The draft states that Stalions led these individuals to believe that their actions were within the rules.