Is Michigan Football In More Trouble?
The question is being asked again after a draft of the Notice of Allegations from the NCAA to the University of Michigan football program was made public over the weekend over the Connor Stalions illegal scouting (sign-stealing) scandal.
The draft says that new head coach Sherrone Moore violated NCAA rules by deleting more than 50 text messages with the now-former U-M football staffer (Stalions) last fall.
Moore replaced former coach Jim Harbaugh after Michigan won the National Championship this past January when Harbaugh took the head coaching job with the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh and several other former assistants face Level I violations for their alleged role in the scandal.
This comes just months after Michigan was put on NCAA probation for illegal recruiting during the dead COVID-19 period in 2020. U-M football is on three years of probation and paid an undisclosed fine as a penalty for that.
Moore, who is just beginning his first year as head coach, was suspended for his role in the illegal recruiting scandal last year. And he could face further penalties if found guilty of the allegations.
Once the NCAA's Notice of Allegations is given to Michigan, the school will have 90 days to respond to the allegations. And then the NCAA will levy a decision and issue out potential penalties. So the saga could continue into 2025.
Who knows what the penalties are going to be for the Michigan football program (if there are any). But regardless of what happens, a stain will permeate the winningest program in the history of college football.
So, back to the title of this article...Is the Michigan football program in more trouble? Wait and see, officially. But in the world of public opinion, you decide.