ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — The NCAA has issued their Notice of Allegations toward the Michigan football program in regards to the sign-stealing investigation revolving around a former Michigan staffer.
A spokesperson for the program confirmed the information to 7 News Detroit, but we may not find out the contents of the NOA for quite some time.
Based on the NCAA process, Michigan now has 90 days to respond in writing to the NOA, then the NCAA has 60 days to reply to that response. A hearing with the Committee on Infractions is usually scheduled for about two months after the reply has been filed. It typically takes months before the public infractions report is released to the public.
The investigation centers around Connor Stalions, a former Michigan staffer who was at the center of a sign-stealing investigation by the NCAA. He resigned in November and has since been hired by Mumford High School to serve as the football team's defensive coordinator. Stalions is set to speak on the sign-stealing investigations for the first time publicly in a documentary set to premiere on Netflix on Tuesday, August 27.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Michigan football staffer at center of sign-stealing investigation resigns
This past fall, Multiple Big Ten schools found records of tickets purchased in Stalions’ name to their games and surveillance video of the people sitting in those seats pointing cell phones toward the field.
The NCAA does not directly ban the stealing of signs, but there are rules against using electronic equipment to record an opponent’s signals and in-person, advanced scouting of future opponents in season. There are also rules against unsportsmanlike or unethical activities by coaches. The extent of which Michigan's coaching staff knew about Stalions' actions — including whether or not the coaching staff encouraged him to do it — could play a factor in the severity of Michigan's punishment.
This NOA is unrelated to the NOA issued against Michigan last winter in regards to recruiting violations committed by the Wolverines.Earlier this month, former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was given a four-year show cause order by the NCAA, essentially banning him from coaching in college football for the next four years. Harbaugh has since left his alma mater and is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
We asked a few people on Michigan's campus how they feel about this investigation, including fan Ryan Holmes who feels all this won't have an impact on the current team.
“I think Michigan’s going to have enough lawyers to do what they need to do, they’re going prioritize the football team, make sure they’re defending it, not discredit what’s been done," Holmes said.
“The NCAA can do what they want now but Jim Harbaugh is gone so I don’t think it’s going to make any difference," said student and marching band member Chase Kozlowicz.
WATCH: Michigan fans react to Jim Harbaugh's NCAA suspension
Michigan is set to kick off their 2024 season later this month, with the Wolverines set to host the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, August 31. That game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST.
