Michigan receives NCAA notice of allegations in Conner Stallions sign-stealing investigation
According to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello, Michigan has received an official notice of charges from the NCAA regarding an investigation into alleged sign stealing by former Wolverines analyst Conor Stallions.
NCAA policy gives Michigan 90 days to respond to the notice of allegations, which would give the Wolverines until the end of November to address the allegations. After the response, the NCAA could call a meeting of the infractions committee for Michigan to present its case, but that could happen after the 2024 season is complete.
“The NCAA can confirm that notice of allegations has been distributed to the school and parties involved in the Michigan investigation,” the NCAA said in a statement. “In order to protect the integrity of the infractions process as the matter progresses, the NCAA will not be commenting further on the details involved.”
A draft version of the NOA was leaked three weeks ago. However, one significant change is that former employees Jesse Minter and Denard Robinson, who were accused of violations, have opted to work with the NCAA on a negotiated settlement, according to NBC Sports. The remaining participants will work through the violations committee.
Early draft revealed that Michigan coach Sharon Moore could face suspension Moore allegedly committed a Level II violation when investigators claim he deleted text messages between himself and the Stallions. Moore could be considered a “repeat offender” because he received penalties in connection with a separate NCAA investigation into illegal recruiting practices during the COVID-19 dead period. Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, now the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, received a four-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA for his role in the recruiting violations case.
The Stallions, Robinson, former assistant coach Chris Partridge and former head coach Jim Harbaugh were charged with Level I violations in the sign-stealing case. According to a previously leaked draft notice, the school also faces Level I charges for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Stallion was allegedly the ringleader of a large sign-stealing ring. The analyst allegedly purchased tickets to more than 30 games and used “illicit techniques” to steal signs. The NOA also claims Stallion was present in disguise during the Central Michigan game in an attempt to illegally spy on rival Michigan State, which “seriously undermined or threatened the integrity of the NCAA collegiate model.” According to ESPN, Stallion allegedly removed computer hard drives from the Michigan football offices and gave a sheet of the opponent’s game calls to a Michigan player.
The former employees are set to appear in an upcoming Netflix documentary to talk about their alleged wrongdoings. The special will be released Tuesday. The Stallions were let go from Michigan after the investigation became public.
The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 season after the alleged scandal became public. However, he returned to lead the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997. He moved on to the Chargers after the season. Moore is the only staff member named in the allegations who remains with the university.
