Michigan sign-stealing punishment: College football world reacts to NCAA sanctions
By Derek Hryn
Published:
The NCAA officially brought the hammer down on Michigan football Friday, issuing sweeping sanctions tied to the Wolverines’ long-running sign-stealing scandal.
Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh received a 10-year “show-cause” order — one of the longest in NCAA history — while the program was hit with significant financial penalties but avoided a postseason ban.
Reactions across the college football landscape have been swift — from rivals calling it “overdue” to Michigan supporters blasting the NCAA’s handling of the case.
The investigation found “overwhelming evidence” of an impermissible in-person scouting operation run by former staffer Connor Stalions, along with recruiting violations, failure to monitor, and repeated failures to cooperate.
Michigan will serve 4 years of probation, lose 25% of its official football visits in 2025-26, and endure a 14-week recruiting communication ban. Financial penalties are a steep $50,000 fine, 10% of the football budget, postseason revenue forfeiture from the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and the cost equivalent of 10 percent of scholarships for 2025-26. The total financial impact could exceed $20 million.
Current head coach Sherrone Moore also received a show-cause, and an additional game suspension for the 2026 season.
