Michigan football is facing a significant storyline as head coach Sherrone Moore is set to serve a two-game suspension for the 2025 season, stemming from self-imposed sanctions related to the Connor Stalions advanced scouting scandal. The suspension, confirmed by industry sources, will see Moore sidelined during Michigan’s Week 3 clash against Central Michigan and their Week 4 matchup with Nebraska. Alongside this, he will be prohibited from any team activities during these weeks and will face additional recruiting-related penalties.
While these internal measures showcase the university’s accountability, it’s essential to note that the NCAA still holds the authority to impose further sanctions on Moore, which could add another layer of complexity to the situation. A resolution on the final penalties is anticipated before the season kicks off, intensifying the scrutiny on the Wolverines as they prepare for their opening game.
Michigan is set to host New Mexico to launch the season before diving into a high-profile nonconference meeting at Oklahoma, where Moore himself played as an offensive guard. These early matchups could provide strategic advantages or challenges, especially with Moore’s absence looming during crucial games.
The origins of this issue trace back to Moore’s tenure as the offensive coordinator in 2023, amidst allegations against former staffer Connor Stalions. Stalions was accused of orchestrating an advanced scouting operation, reportedly sending associates to record sideline signals from rival teams, then using that footage to decode play-calling strategies. This unfortunate saga has cast a long shadow over the program.
In August 2024, the NCAA issued a Notice of Allegations detailing 11 violations against Michigan, with six classified as Level I—a category reserved for the most egregious infractions. As the university collaborates with the NCAA to reach a resolution, the stakes for Moore and the program remain high.
At the crux of Moore’s forthcoming suspension is a separate allegation that he deleted a thread of 52 text messages involving Stalions. This purported deletion occurred in October 2023, on the same day reports emerged about Stalions’ controversial activities. Interestingly, despite the claims, those texts were later retrieved through device imaging, and Moore eventually complied by producing them for NCAA enforcement staff. He now faces a Level 2 violation as outlined in a draft of the allegations obtained last year.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Moore previously faced a suspension for Michigan’s season opener in 2023 against East Carolina due to self-imposed penalties linked to a different NCAA issue. The timing of this current suspension allows him to reclaim a sideline presence for the highly anticipated Oklahoma game, where his connection to the program runs deep, making his coaching return all the more significant.
As Michigan prepares for the dual challenges of the upcoming season’s competitive games and the fallout from this scandal, the atmosphere around the program remains charged with uncertainty and anticipation. How the Wolverines navigate this turbulent period could be pivotal in defining Moore’s legacy and the future of the Michigan football program.
