When Sherrone Moore filled Jim Harbaugh’s shoes, he hardly realized that it would turn out to be this costly. Already, the ceiling was high for the debut head coach. After all, just a season back, Michigan had been the National Champions. When Moore had taken over, fans might have thought that he would at least make it to the playoffs. But that too didn’t happen, leaving Moore walking on thin ice. While the head coach must have shaken off old woes and focused on the journey ahead, his dark past got dug up. His involvement with the Connor Stalions’ scouting scandal landed him in a sticky spot. Moore has been suspended for two games this fall. Well, is this all? A Michigan insider came up with more inputs. 

Maybe the fault is in Michigan’s stars. Moore is the second Michigan coach to incur a suspension as a result of the sign-stealing scandal. His predecessor, Harbaugh, too, was not spared from the ban. On Oct. 19, 2023, it was reported that Michigan was under investigation for alleged sign-stealing. The main hoopla revolved around staffer Stalions, who was accused of attending games featuring Michigan’s future opponents. Now, what’s the charge brought against Moore?

The Michigan head coach is accused of deleting 52 text messages with Stalions around the time of the initial investigation, which is against NCAA rules.

Even though Michigan has pushed back strenuously against the NCAA, they have taken the matter into their own hands. ESPN reported that Michigan is suspending Moore for two games this upcoming season. He will miss Michigan’s Week 3 game against Central Michigan and its Week 4 Big Ten opener against Nebraska. Now, is that all the price that the head coach will have to bear? Unfortunately, no.

On the May 5th episode of the 247Sports podcast, Michigan insider Sam Webb came up with some new updates. He dropped a bomb for the Wolverines fans: “It’s not final.” Webb continued, “We have come to learn the process with the NCAA, as these things go to schools, they come up with these recommendations, these suggestions about what the penalties could be or should be. And the NCAA will respond with whether these penalties are sufficient.”

Moore will be excluded from any team activities during the weeks he is suspended. This might get topped up with recruiting-related punishments. And what if we tell you even that’s not enough?

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel recently said he has not had any conversations with the NCAA about a potential postseason ban. However, Webb’s information hints at the possibility. “What my sources tell me, this is in line of what Michigan may be thinking.…Assuming that the NCAA were to say ‘Hey, we agree. This is a suitable punishment’…you will be fully out like Jim Harbaugh…that will suffice. But if the NCAA are to come back…and they say, ‘Nah, this doesn’t sound suitable. This is not sufficient. We are thinking something along the lines, something more severe.’ Well, then this self-imposed punishment that maybe Michigan is discussing internally, now they will start to talk different… it may not be two games.” 

The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for three games late in the 2023 season after conducting its own investigation. However, he soon made a comeback in the Big Ten Championship Game and eventually brought home a Natty. But as Michigan is busy handling its own chaos, one of its Big 10 opponents gets disrespected with this decision.      

Michigan lands in the hot seat with Sherrone Moore’s suspension surprise 

Maybe the timing here is making things more complex. The suspension of Moore came not from the NCAA but from the Wolverines. By taking matters into their own hands, they are now accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, Michigan’s recent move to keep Moore away from the sideline for Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2025 season doesn’t seem to follow that principle. To many, it came off as a mindfully crafted, intentional attempt. But the motive?

To sidestep real consequences while keeping Moore on the sidelines for a game that matters most to him personally and to the Wolverines’ season. That’s their big face-off in Week 2, their road trip to Oklahoma. Yes, apparently, it might come off as a legitimate disciplinary action. Now, if we take a step back and look at it from afar, things become clear.

Michigan is effectively choosing to shield Moore from missing the Oklahoma game. That’s because the Sooners are the biggest nonconference test. At the same time, it’s special for Moore, who played for them and even graduated from OU. 

It comes with a harsh story. This shows that Michigan is confident enough in beating Nebraska without Sherrone Moore performing the head coaching duties. They would rather take their chances against Matt Rhule’s Huskers than not have their head coach for the Oklahoma game. So, now Nebraska’s head coach needs to make the most out of this disrespect. An absolute do-or-die kind of situation. Big game for Nebraska—a win puts them on top in the conference right away in a make-or-break year. A loss, though? Get ready for the Wolverines to have a field day with the trash talk. Wolverines fans are about to get a front-row seat to the Moore era, in his absence.