NCAA ready to issue Notice of Allegations regarding Michigan football, Connor Stalions

The NCAA is prepared to issue Michigan with a Notice of Allegations (NOA) as soon as “this week, maybe tomorrow,” according to a report by TheWolverine.com.

The NOA would be related to the sign-stealing scandal that hit the program during the 2023 season under former head coach Jim Harbaugh. At the time, he was punished by the Big Ten with a three-game suspension to finish the regular season.

Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions is expected to receive Level 1 violations for his role in arranging off-campus and in-person scouting. Another staffer, meanwhile, is expected to be hit with violations related to dinner and a ride for student-athletes. At least two other former coaches are expected to be accused of Level 2 violations related to paying for dinner for athletes.

Connor Stalions is also expected to be facing charges of failure to cooperate in an investigation both during and after employment.

No current Michigan staffers are facing allegations of violations. However, one current coach allegedly deleted text messages between himself and Stalions, though it’s unclear if that will be part of the NOA from the NCAA.

Much of the focus around the country when the scandal broke came down to Stalions, a staffer at Michigan who resigned in early November 2023. The issue largely resolved around scouting opponents in-person to steal signs. It’s not the act of stealing signs that is against the rules but using advanced on-campus scouting to do so.

Despite the scandal, Michigan was able to finish the 2023 season unbeaten and won the national championship.

Now, Netflix is developing a documentary about Connor Stalions and the scandal. It’s going to be called “Sign Stealer” and is set to premiere around the start of the 2024 season on August 27th. It’s a part of Netflix’s Untold series.

Sources tell TheWolverine.com that the NCAA could seek a one or two-year postseason ban. That’s something the University of Michigan would likely fight, though they would be willing to accept a fine of some kind.

There is some thought that the NCAA will try to “make an example” out of Michigan. That’s because some within the NCAA believe that Michigan was “thumbing its nose” at the NCAA throughout the investigation.

As far as a timeline is concerned, one source told TheWolverine.com that Michigan likely wouldn’t go before the NCAA Committee on Infractions before mid-2025. Furthermore, this is a case that will likely take years to resolve.