Michigan to Appeal NCAA Sanctions After Punishments for Jim Harbaugh, Stalions, Moore

The University of Michigan announced it will appeal the ruling handed down by the NCAA following an investigation into sign-stealing and recruiting violations by the school.

"We appreciate the work of the Committee on Infractions," Michigan said. "But, respectfully, in a number of instances the decision makes fundamental errors in interpreting NCAA bylaws; and it includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence — or lack of evidence — in the record. We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options."

In a long-awaited ruling, the NCAA said Friday it found "overwhelming evidence" to corroborate claims former staffer Connor Stalions spearheaded a scheme to steal signs from opposing teams. The organization also cited recruiting infractions and a failure to cooperate from some affiliated with the program, including former head coach Jim Harbaugh and current coach Sherrone Moore.

Among the penalties were show-cause orders for Harbaugh and Moore, fines that could exceed $20 million or $30 million based on some estimates, and a 25 percent reduction in the number of official visits for the 2025-26 school year.

The NCAA also tacked another game onto Moore's two-game suspension that had been imposed by the school.

Michigan avoided an even worse fate since it didn't receive a postseason ban. All past achievements, including the national title from the 2023 season, were untouched as well.

Still, the full 74-page report from the NCAA painted a withering portrait of the Michigan football program and its major figures.

Some Wolverines fans will wave away the NCAA's ruling.

Even vacating wins from 2023 wouldn't have changed the fact that Michigan reigned supreme on the field that year. Harbaugh is long gone, so any of his punishments are largely irrelevant. And a $30 million fine is substantial but ultimately not that much for a school with total revenues that eclipse $200 million.

But that doesn't account for the damage to Michigan's reputation. This is a university that prides itself on its academic record and the "Michigan Man" ideal.

Administrators were never going to take the NCAA's decision lying down.