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Michigan expected to suspend Sherrone Moore two games as 'Signgate' punishment

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•05/05/25•

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Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore will serve a two-game suspension. (Photo by Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore will serve a two-game suspension. (Photo by Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

Michigan is expected to suspend head coach Sherrone Moore two games this fall, sources tell TheWolverine.com, as part of self-imposed sanctions for what’s become known as “signgate,” the scouting operation run by former staffer Connor Stalions.

As previously reported, U-M has been continuously negotiating with the NCAA on potential punishments prior to a scheduled hearing this spring/summer. Sources said Moore did not want to miss the Wolverines’ game at Oklahoma, his return to his alma mater … they will have him sit the third and fourth games, Central Michigan and Nebraska, instead.

In addition, Moore will not be allowed to take part in any preparation for either of these games. In addition, there will be added recruiting restrictions for the Michigan coach, we’ve learned, that could keep him off the road.

Michigan’s initial response to the NCAA was emphatic — that the NCAA was “overstepping” on several of the issues. As we reported in late January, with former coach Jim Harbaugh having moved on, the severest punishment might be reserved for Moore.

As written in January: While they don’t know for certain what the NCAA will propose in the way of punishment, other than the fact that it won’t be retroactive, some believe the stiffest attempted penalties could be reserved for Moore. The case will next be set for a hearing in front of the Division I Committee on Infractions, an independent administrative body charged with deciding infractions cases, but Michigan’s attorneys are requesting a pre-hearing conference to discuss the origins of an internal tipster (alleged to be a former employee), the legality of him/her remaining anonymous and using their “information” as evidence, and other concerns.

The fact that Michigan is going to bat not only for him, but also Harbaugh and the others, “indicates how fully they’re invested in protecting themselves from being ‘convicted’ without evidence or on violations ‘that, by the letter of the NCAA’s own law, are nothing more than minor violations.’”  

“If the NCAA is not willing to do that, they’ll have to go through the appeals process and litigate this,” one source noted, adding it could take “a few years.” One believes it could even be a year before it gets to the committee on infractions.

“Then it’s much longer if it goes before an appeals committee, and even longer if litigation takes place,” another source added. “That’s up to the NCAA. They can follow their own bylaws, or they can litigate. They want to punish [Michigan] without evidence.”

We asked one what they thought might be the most severe punishment the NCAA could seek.

“Suspension for Sherrone Moore, scholarship reductions, maybe a fine,” they said. “But they’d fight it. There’s no evidence — anywhere — that Sherrone had any knowledge.” They also cautioned that “it’s the NCAA, and back (in late July, the date of our first report), they came out swinging.”

Watch for more on this breaking story in the hours to come …

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