Michigan Coach Awaits Text Message Release in Scandal

Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore spoke to reporters for the first time regarding allegations from the NCAA related to a sign-stealing investigation. The NCAA has accused Moore of violating rules during his tenure as an assistant under former coach Jim Harbaugh, specifically regarding the deletion of text messages exchanged with Connor Stalions, a former recruiting staffer who resigned amid the scandal. While the NCAA has recommended a Level 2 violation for Moore, he has stated that he has cooperated fully with the investigation and looks forward to the release of the recovered messages. The NCAA previously placed Michigan on three years of probation, along with fines and recruiting restrictions, following a negotiated resolution in a separate case. The Wolverines, who are ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll, are preparing for their season opener against Fresno State on August 31. Moore, who was promoted to head coach in January, has faced scrutiny as he navigates the ongoing investigation while trying to lead the defending national champions. Stalions, who allegedly directed a network to record opposing teams' sidelines, purchased tickets to over 30 games at 11 different Big Ten schools in recent seasons. The fallout from the scandal has already led to Harbaugh's suspension for the final three games of the 2023 regular season, during which Moore served as interim head coach. As the season approaches, Moore remains focused on preparing his team for a challenging schedule, including matchups against top-ranked opponents.