Report: NCAA to release ruling on Michigan infractions case on Friday

The Michigan Wolverines are getting ready to hear their fate from the NCAA. According to a report from Pete Thamel, the NCAA has now formally notified the parties tied to the Michigan NCAA infractions case that their findings and punishments will be publicly released on Friday.

The NCAA has been investigating Michigan following the sign-stealing saga that marred the 2023 season. That season, of course, culminated in a national championship win for the Wolverines, even with then-head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for the end of the regular season in response to the issues.

Back in June, the NCAA Committee of Infractions had a hearing regarding the case. The focus of that was in-person advanced scouting of opponents, which violates NCAA rules. Now, it appears as if they’re nearing an announcement on that investigation.

The Michigan sign-stealing saga notably involved a Wolverines staffer, Connor Stalions, who was accused of orchestrating other staffers to attend opponents’ games, scout them in-person, and potentially even try and steal signs. Since then, Stalions was forced to resign from Michigan and is now in the high school coaching ranks. Assistant coach Chris Partridge was later fired as well.

It was in August of 2024 when Michigan received its initial Notice of Allegations regarding the scandal. In the initial reports about the NOA, the NCAA was accusing Michigan and Stalions of impermissibly scouting at least 13 future opponents on at least 58 occasions between 2021 and 2023.

Notably, the initial NOA also included current head coach Sherrone Moore. Previously the offensive coordinator for the 2023 season, Moore was accused of deleting text messages between himself and Stalions. He has, notably, already been suspended for two games by Michigan in the upcoming 2025 season for his role in the scandal.

Moore is going to be suspended for the Central Michigan and Nebraska games. Those are their third and fourth games of the season, respectively, and Nebraska represents the Big Ten opener. Moore will be barred from any team-related activities during those weeks.

Michigan received its NOA regarding the sign-stealing scandal weeks after the program had been hit with recruiting violations in 2024. That was over impermissible benefits during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period. That punishment included a one-year suspension for Jim Harbaugh and a multi-year show-cause penalty. Of course, Harbaugh no longer coaches in college football.

The college football regular season is just weeks away now. Michigan is set to open the schedule on August 30th against New Mexico. Then, the Wolverines have an interesting test against Oklahoma. After that, Moore begins his self-imposed suspension.