The NCAA has handed down sweeping penalties against the University of Michigan football program after a Division I Committee on Infractions panel found “overwhelming evidence” of an impermissible scouting scheme, recruiting violations, and widespread failures to cooperate with investigators.
The case centered on former staff member Connor Stalions, who orchestrated an elaborate off-campus, in-person scouting operation during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. According to the panel, Stalions arranged for associates — including interns, acquaintances, and other staff — to attend more than 50 games involving future opponents. They filmed sidelines to capture and decode play signals, a network that Stalions referred to as the “KGB.”
Investigators found that Stalions spent nearly $35,000 on tickets in 2022 alone, collected thousands of signals, and shared them with staff. Evidence also showed that Stalions attempted to cover his tracks, including destroying materials and even disposing of his phone in a pond.
The NCAA said the scope of the scheme “will never be fully known” due to deliberate destruction of evidence.
Failures to Cooperate
The report detailed repeated efforts by Michigan staff to obstruct the investigation. Stalions, along with former head coach Jim Harbaugh, current head coach Sherrone Moore, and former staffer Denard Robinson, all failed to cooperate. The panel called Stalions’ conduct “some of the worst the COI has ever seen.”
Moore, now head coach, admitted to deleting text messages connected to the scheme after it became public. Harbaugh refused to provide records or sit for an interview with investigators.
Recruiting Violations
Separate violations involved impermissible inducements and recruiting communications with four prospects. Assistant coaches Jesse Minter, Steve Clinkscale, and Chris Partridge were all tied to those infractions.
Leadership and Oversight Failures
The panel concluded Harbaugh failed to enforce compliance, noting his strained relationship with Michigan’s compliance office. Michigan as an institution was also cited for “failure to monitor,” with the panel stating the football program “rebuked, dismissed and disregarded” compliance oversight.
Penalties
While Michigan avoided a postseason ban to protect current athletes, the program faces millions in financial penalties, reduced recruiting privileges, and probation. Among the sanctions:
- Four years of probation
- $50,000 fine, plus 10% of the football budget
- Forfeiture of postseason revenue from the 2025 and 2026 seasons
- A fine equal to 10% of football scholarships in 2025-26
- 25% reduction in official recruiting visits during 2025-26
- 14-week ban on recruiting communications
Individual sanctions include:
- Connor Stalions – 8-year show-cause order
- Jim Harbaugh – 10-year show-cause order (to begin after his current 4-year order ends in 2028)
- Denard Robinson – 3-year show-cause order
- Sherrone Moore – 2-year show-cause order, including suspension for three games (two in 2025-26, one in 2026-27)
The penalties mark one of the most severe NCAA cases in recent memory, underscoring what investigators called a “systemic disregard for compliance” inside Michigan’s football program.
