The Michigan Wolverines had one of the most controversial seasons of all time in 2023. The Wolverines’ dominant 15-0 season, which ended with Michigan winning a national championship, was marred by allegations that the football program was conducting a nationwide covert sign-stealing operation with staffer Connor Stalions as the central operative.
On Friday, the NCAA, which launched an investigation into the matter, released its judgment on the University’s football program.
“Sources: Among Michigan’s punishments in the NCAA COI ruling, per me and (Dan Wetzel): *Michigan receives a significant fine, expected to be more than $20 million, from loss of postseason football revenue for the next two seasons,” ESPN college football insider, Pete Thamel, reported.
“*Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is given an additional game suspension, which is expected take place in 2026. The school already proposed a self-imposed a two-game ban for this upcoming season, which is slated for Week 3 and 4.”
Thamel subsequently followed up with Harbaugh’s punishment.
“Sources tell me and (Dan Wetzel) they’ll also be a 10-year show-cause penalty for Jim Harbaugh and an 8-year show-cause penalty for Connor Stalions.”
Now, another college football insider is reporting on why Michigan’s punishment was so light relative to expectations.
“NCAA release: “The panel noted that “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,” reported the Detroit Free Press’s Tony Garcia.
It begs the question: Does the NCAA have any authority at all?
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.