University of Michigan head coach Sherrone MooreSherrone Moore (Photo via Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The NCAA’s investigation into sign-stealing allegations made against the University of Michigan is nearing an end.

According to Pete Thamel, the college sports governing body will reveal its findings and announce a punishment for the Wolverines this Friday on the back of a lengthy investigation.

“The NCAA has formally notified parties tied to the Michigan NCAA infractions case that an announcement on the findings and punishments will be publicly released on Friday,” Thamel reports.

Michigan stands accused of the aforementioned offence, which is prohibited in the college game, although no one cares about it in the pros, with former recruitment staffer Connor Stalions at the center of it all.

Stallions has since left the program, as has Jim Harbaugh, but the Committee on Infractions (COI) will recommend punishment, which the university can choose to appeal.

 

The COI has been known to impose minor fines, scholarship reductions, and force schools to vacate wins or postseason eligibility.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said he had not discussed a potential playoff ban with the NCAA.

“What I can point to is that Charlie Baker, when we won the championship, said they won it fair and square,” he told 247Sports. “That’s something I can say that gives me some sense that they understand that this was a team who won that championship fair and square. I look at that, and as we move forward, we’ll see how it goes.”

University Of Michigan Accused NCAA Of “Grossly Overreaching”

Michigan Wolverines flagMichigan Wolverines flag (Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK)
The University of Michigan claimed the NCAA had gone overboard in January, “grossly overreaching” and “wildly overcharging” them, although they didn’t have significant evidence. They noted that, of the 52 games Stalions allegedly scouted, he only attended one.

Eight other fixtures were attended by former Michigan staff, while friends and family were present at others, which don’t count as violations. They also argue that most of Stalions’ sign-stealing was done through legal means and not in a way that would leave them with an unfair advantage.

The Wolverines tried to avert possible punishment by suspending head coach Sherrone Moore for two games next season, with the second-year head coach linked to the investigation because he deleted a thread containing 52 text messages shared with Stalions.

Moore’s suspension will kick in after he coaches against Oklahoma in Week 2.