Well, that’s it! The University of Michigan and head coach Sherrone Moore just threw in the towel. After all the noise and never give up energy, they’ve quietly withdrawn their appeals in the NCAA infractions case.
Why the sudden surrender? Because they know they cheated and since the punishment has already came down, they don’t have to lie about it anymore.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions announced in August that Michigan had committed multiple Level I violations in relation to impermissible off-campus scouting. The scheme, led by former staffer Connor Stalions, was designed to aid in the stealing of opponents’ in-game signals. It operated during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and and for part of 2023.
Michigan was hit with fines that could total as much as $30 million but avoided a postseason ban or the vacating of past victories, including the 2023 season in which the Wolverines won the national championship.
Moore, meanwhile, was levied a two-year show-cause order and suspended for three games across two seasons. Moore, now Michigan’s head coach but the offensive coordinator during the period the violations occurred, served two of the games in September and is scheduled to sit out next season’s opener against Western Michigan.
“After careful consideration of the prolonged impact of an appeal on Michigan and our student athletes, we have withdrawn our appeal of the NCAA’s infractions decision and penalties,” the university said in a statement Monday night.
Both the school and the coach initially vowed to appeal the penalties.
“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,” the university stated at the time.
Neither the university nor its coach is fighting that now, according to the database, thus officially ending the appeals of the case.
Cheaters for life.
So, lesson learned? Maybe. But hey, at least they can finally get back to football instead of fighting bureaucracy. Onward, Michigan, the appeal is over, but the game continues.
