The NCAA announced Friday discipline for the Michigan Wolverines football program for a variety of infractions, most notably an “off-campus, in-person scouting scheme” spearheaded by a former staffer.
Michigan was fined $50,000 plus 10% of the budget of the football program, as well as fined the equivalent of its revenue share from the next two college football postseasons — a figure that could approach $20 million, reports ESPN.
The violations also include a failure to cooperate, impermissible recruiting, and head coach responsibility.
The bulk of the discipline relates to a signal-stealing scheme orchestrated by former staff member Connor Stalions. From 2021 to 2023, Stalions arranged for people to attend games of future opponents and record their sidelines so Stalions could decipher their signals.
The NCAA said in a report it uncovered 56 instances of off-campus, in-person scouting for 13 Wolverines opponents, though the report adds “the true scope and scale of the scheme — including the competitive advantage it conferred — will never be known due to individuals’ intentional destruction and withholding of materials and information.”
Michigan won a national championship after the 2023 season, during which the investigation into Stalions was first announced. He resigned from the school in November of that year.
The Wolverines were also fined the equivalent of 10% of the football scholarships awarded this upcoming season, and were placed on probation for the next four years. The school also received a 25% reduction in recruiting visits this season.
Individuals disciplined as a result of the infractions include former head coach Jim Harbaugh, who currently coaches the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, Stalions, former director of player personnel Denard Robinson, and current head coach Sherrone Moore.
Harbaugh, Stalions and Robinson all received show-cause penalties that will restrict them from all athletic-related activities for several years.
Harbaugh will be barred for 10 years beginning in August 2028 after the conclusion of a current show-cause penalty. Stalions received a two-year ban, while Robinson received a three-year ban.
Moore will serve a three-game suspension over the next two seasons. His two-year show-cause will not restrict him from coaching during that time period.