Just because Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to coach the Los Angeles Chargers doesn’t mean the Wolverines are out of the woods yet. Even though Harbaugh served multiple suspensions last season related to the Connor Stalions-led sign stealing scandal — which Harbaugh claimed to have had no knowledge of — his successor Sherrone Moore might be in even more trouble.
A draft of allegations obtained by ESPN from the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s football program has some pretty grisly details on Moore’s end, including fifty-two deleted texts between him and Stalions.
Michigan HC Sherrone Moore deleted 52 texts with Connor Stalions the day of the initial sign-stealing report.
Michigan illegally scouted 56 games, and it is confirmed Stalions was illegally on the CMU sideline.
Seven coaches committed violations, Moore is facing suspension. pic.twitter.com/7gA4K5q5vg
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 4, 2024
The Michigan investigation revealed:
-52 deleted texts by Sherrone Moore
-58 games scouted
-7 coaches in violation
-Several removed hard drives
-1 disguised Connor Stalions at CMUYIKES. pic.twitter.com/TLXo20eqDz
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 4, 2024
Among the coaches who are believed to have committed the most egregious NCAA violations (known as Level 1) are Harbaugh, Stalions, fired defensive assistant Chris Partridge, and ex-Wolverines quarterback/departed assistant personnel director Denard Robinson. So really, the only person of any immediate consequence to Michigan’s program who could face disciplinary action is Moore at this point.
As if the task of being successor to Harbaugh wasn’t going to be hard enough, Moore looks like he could start his proper full-time tenure behind the 8-ball in a big way. And nobody on the hellscape of X/Twitter has any sympathy for him or for Michigan in general.
Sharon Moore is the Fall Guy pic.twitter.com/rvnFhdVDQc
— Intrinsic (@intrinsicvalyou) August 4, 2024
cheaters and liars pic.twitter.com/8p6XpueKfm
— karen (@klsmd12) August 4, 2024
Michigan fans when they have to vacate their national title win because of “Connor Stallions” and “Sherrone Moore” pic.twitter.com/XpcmJDoiGM
— OlaveSZN ⚜️ (@OlaveSZN12) August 4, 2024
Sherrone Moore meeting up with Connor Stallions in NCAA timeout:
pic.twitter.com/W7JOSwZCoP— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) August 4, 2024
Sherrone Moore is cooked as a repeat offender pic.twitter.com/nZPMuK3uvq
— Ohio State Deserves Better (@BCSNostalgia) August 4, 2024
Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore when he took the Chargers job. https://t.co/tGaBnJg0cQ pic.twitter.com/VzsdUKniu1
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) August 4, 2024
No way to sugar coat this one: Michigan being without Sherrone Moore when they open against New Mexico in 2025 is going to be a massive blow.
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) August 4, 2024
Sherrone Moore after that show-clause penalty hits https://t.co/wEedcTvkOp pic.twitter.com/z9xsC2AMFa
— CleBuckeye (@CleBuckeye23) August 4, 2024
Jim Harbaugh watching as Sherrone Moore takes the fall pic.twitter.com/S8IBFs53uh
— Matt Fontana (@MattFontana83) August 4, 2024
Alright Michigan fanboys, read this and tell me how wonderful it is and how it doesn’t matter!! 😂 If half of this is true it’s a disaster.
I’ll say again, the slow drip of this info and upcoming slow death of the program is delightful.
Title, tainted. Any legacy Harbaugh…
— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) August 4, 2024
The Wolverines lost a ton of talent to the NFL, and have their work cut out to keep their high-standard culture of perennial national title contention intact in the post-Harbaugh era. Not that I doubt Moore’s football acumen. He kept Michigan’s perfect season alive last year and ultimately played a key role in helping them to a national championship. However, the more findings that surface from this sign stealing investigation, the weirder it gets and the noisier the negative buzz around the program becomes.
I have my doubts that Moore will face some lengthy suspension, or that the Wolverines’ national championship will be vacated. Whatever happens going forward on the field, they’ll be the most scrutinized team in the country. It won’t just be obnoxious bitter rival Ohio State or little-brother Michigan State fans piling on. It’ll be everyone else, too, until this blows over.
Not much else to say. I thought this story was finished. It just won’t die. Dear Michigan, please don’t allegedly steal signs again so that we can move on with our lives.
