By Micheal Germanese
The sign-stealing investigation appeared to be an open and closed case, as what transpired came out. But despite all the evidence pointing to Michigan cheating, they maintained their innocence and continued to fight all the accusations. In doing so, Michigan acted like a gambler continuing to push their chips in with the hopes that the opponent on the other side would fold. The only problem: The opponent on the other side knew the cards Michigan had were the losing ones.
What should have been a fast and to-the-point investigation and punishment has turned into a battle between Michigan and the NCAA. Now, with the committee of infractions (COI) hearing scheduled, Michigan will get the chance to plead its case in the hopes of making the last year and a half of fight not in vain.
Since the news broke in October 2023, it’s become the story that never ends. Michigan fans and some members of the media pushed the nothing to see, hear narrative. The Wolverines were just doing what the rest of college football has been doing. At the same time, the other side pushed the worst cheating scandal in history narrative. And they want the NCAA to implement the death penalty for the first time since handing it to SMU back in 1987.
With the announcement of Sherrone Moore‘s two-game suspension, is it foreshadowing the side that’s pushing the death penalty about to be right? Is the writing on the wall that Michigan is about to lose the battle?
Can’t be Wrong
Since the story broke, Michigan football has claimed innocence despite all the evidence that has been leaked pointing to the contrary. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan’s former head coach, has claimed his innocence while having no knowledge of the sign-stealing scheme that went on. But ignorance is no excuse, and the COI now holds the fate of his legacy at his alma mater in their hands.
Michigan has officially responded to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations for its sign-stealing operation.
Per @RossDellenger, Michigan accused the NCAA of “grossly overreaching” and will not accept penalties via a negotiated resolution: https://t.co/lmzc8N5lbe
The document…
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 28, 2025
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Michigan has had several chances to admit wrongdoing and get in front of the allegations. Instead, they chose to fight and prolong the investigation, keeping the black cloud of the NCAA hanging over the football program. Even after the NOA citing several level one infractions, Michigan still elected to push back and continue the fight.
The decision falls on the university, athletic director Warde Manuel, Harbaugh and Moore. By fighting and prolonging the process, Michigan has given the NCAA time to find more improprieties. The decision to fight came with an understanding that being wrong would not be tolerated. If they are, the football program will be set back for years. It will also wipe out all the accomplishments from the 2021-2024 seasons.
Too Little, too Late
The innocence tune has changed with the Moore suspension as Michigan, for the first time, tries to get ahead of the NCAA. Moore’s suspension is Michigan trying to appease the NCAA before the COI hearing. Will the suspension where Michigan picked the number of games missed be enough? Or will it at least lessen what’s possibly coming from the NCAA?
The answer is No. With a show cause, vacating wins and a post-season ban all on the table, a two-game suspension is too little, too late. In 2023, a three-game suspension for recruiting infractions wasn’t enough to cool the NCAA. Why would this, considering what took place, look much worse?
Michigan allowed Harbaugh to take constant shots at the NCAA, which led to this personal battle. Regardless of whether it’s right or wrong for the NCAA to make it personal, it is, and they’re never going to back off until they get Harbaugh. And now the organization Harbaugh hated can destroy the legacy he left.
Breaking: Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is expected to be suspended for two games for the upcoming 2025 season as part of self-imposed sanctions by the university in regards to the Connor Stalions advanced scouting scandal, industry sources tell @DanWetzel and @PeteThamel.… pic.twitter.com/U8Xd0LYRp7
— ESPN (@espn) May 5, 2025
Time Gone By
The Moore suspension is most likely pointless. Michigan had 20 months to try and get a head of whatever possible penalties could come. They decided to fight instead of getting ahead of it, and it’s a decision that they are forced to live with now.
The reality is, if Michigan fired Harbaugh right when the news broke, this probably would never have gotten to this. Michigan didn’t need the sign-stealing scheme or even Harbaugh to win the national championship in 2023. But they decided that having Harbaugh was more important than putting this situation to bed.
After Harbaugh took an NFL job, Michigan let another chance slip away. After the spring game in 2023, you could see that Michigan didn’t have the quarterback talent to compete. Michigan failed to see the writing on the wall that the 2024 season would be a down year and wasted the perfect time to impose stiff penalties.
What should have taken place after the NOA came out was a 2024 postseason ban and a substantial suspension for Moore. Doing both would have been enough to satisfy the NCAA. Michigan could have suspended Moore for the first six games, giving the NCAA the blood, they want. And all the bowl ban would have cost Michigan is meaningless win against Alabama.
Now Michigan must wait and see what the COI decides and what their fait just might be. Their decision to fight rather than get ahead of this all could become a very costly mistake for the Wolverines. There is some good news for the Wolverines if the NCAA does vacate wins: They can celebrate winning 100 games again.
