Paul Finebaum weighs in on the looming NCAA punishment for Michigan amid investigation

On Sunday, the NCAA sent Michigan a draft of its notice of allegations regarding the sign-stealing scandal that swirled around the program last fall. The draft revealed numerous insights into the scandal and the potential ramifications for those involved. On Monday, Paul Finebaum weighed in on the tense situation unfolding in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Finebaum said. “This is all a continuation of a long, drawn-out story that — in many people’s eyes, probably other than the NCAA — is over. Let’s not forget that Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA — and this may sound out of context because it probably is — but after Michigan won the national championship, he said they won fair and square. I remember that and I think a lot of lawyers are going to remember that too.

“I’m not trying to minimize it. But, the point is that in the big picture of college athletics, nobody respects the NCAA. Nobody really cares about the NCAA. And, there is a team of lawyers ready to drag this out and to threaten the NCAA if they dare do anything to Michigan other than a slap on the wrist.”

The draft alleges head coach Sherrone Moore, who was the offensive coordinator at the time of the scandal, deleted 52 text messages from Conor Stalions on the same day media reports surfaced claiming Stalions was attending future opponents’ games and recording their sideline signals.

The NOA further states Moore’s actions are a Level 2 violation. Further, the draft accuses Moore of being a “repeat offender” because, in August of 2023, he negotiated a resolution to claims that he had been contacting recruits during a “dead period” for recruiting in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accusations against Moore are only the tip of the iceberg. The NCAA claimed six other current and former Michigan staffers also committed violations. Stalions, former head coach Jim Harbaugh, former linebackers coach Chris Partridge and former assistant director of player personnel Denard Robinson allegedly committed Level 1 violations.

In the NOA, the Michigan football program also received a Level 1 violation due to a pattern of noncompliance within the football program. Additionally, there are accusations of institutional efforts to hinder the NCAA’s investigation.

Despite the NCAA’s accusations, many of the former coaches involved are essentially immune to any punishment since they are no longer at the collegiate level. Most likely, the NCAA could only punish coaches such as Harbaugh if they ever returned to college football.

Amid the NCAA’s NOA and impending disciplinary action, a spokesman for Michigan’s football team told ESPN: “Our athletic department and university continue to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation. We do not have an update to share regarding its status at this time.”