Michigan receives NCAA notice of allegations in Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing investigation

Michigan has officially received its notice of allegations from the NCAA regarding the investigation into alleged sign stealing by former Wolverines analyst Connor Stalions, according to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. 

NCAA policy gives Michigan 90 days to respond to the notice of allegations, which would allow the Wolverines until late November to address the accusations. After a response, the NCAA could then call a meeting of the Committee on Infractions for Michigan to make its case, but that could take place well after the 2024 season is complete. 

“The NCAA can confirm that a Notice of Allegations has been distributed to the school and involved parties in the Michigan investigation,” the NCAA said in a statement. “To protect the integrity of the infractions process as the case progresses forward, the NCAA will not provide any further comment on the specifics included.” 

A draft version of the NOA was leaked three weeks ago. However, one key change is that former staffers Jesse Minter and Denard Robinson, who were accused of violations, have opted to work with the NCAA on a negotiated resolution, according to NBC Sports. The remaining participants will work through the Committee on Infractions. 

The initial draft showed that Michigan coach Sherrone Moore could face a suspension after allegedly committing Level II violations when investigators claim he deleted text messages between him and Stalions. Moore could be considered a “repeat violator” after he received punishments regarding 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 Angles Chargers, received a four-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA for his role in the recruiting violations case.

Stalions, Robinson, former assistant coach Chris Partridge and former head coach Jim Harbaugh were alleged to have committed Level I violations in the sign-stealing case. The school also faces Level I charges for a “pattern of noncompliance,” according to the previously leaked draft notice. 

Stalions was allegedly the ringleader of a massive sign-stealing ring. The analyst reportedly bought tickets for more than 30 games and used “illegal technology” to steal signs. The NOA also claims that Stalions was on the sideline of a Central Michigan game in a disguise in an attempt to illegally scout rival Michigan State which “seriously undermined or threatened the integrity of the NCAA collegiate model.” Stalions allegedly removed computer hard drives from the Michigan football offices and gave a Michigan player a sheet of opponent play calls, according to ESPN. 

The former staffer is set to appear in an upcoming Netflix documentary to talk about his alleged wrongdoing. The special will be released Tuesday. Stalions was let go from Michigan as the investigation became public. 

Harbaugh was suspended for the final three games of the 2023 season by the Big Ten as the alleged scandal became public. However, he returned to lead the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997. He left for the Chargers after the season. Moore is the only staff member named in the allegations who remains with the university.