After two years of nonsense, the Connor Stalions investigation has finally come to an end. The NCAA punishment has been leaked and Michigan football avoided the "hammer."
Sources: Among Michigan’s punishments in the NCAA COI ruling, per me and @danwetzel:
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 15, 2025
*Michigan receives a significant fine, expected to be more than $20 million, from loss of postseason football revenue for the next two seasons.
*Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is given an… pic.twitter.com/r7YD2CCUqq
The Wolverines will receive a fine of $20 million, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN, who first reported two of the punishments levied by the committee on infractions. Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore will be suspended for three games, with one being added in the 2026 season. The Wolverines self-imposed a two-game penalty for the Central Michigan and Nebraska games in 2025.
NCAA penalties for Michigan:
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 15, 2025
- 4 years probation
- $50K fine + 10% of FB team’s budget
- fine equivalent to loss of 2 postseason $$$ (CFP/bowl)
- fine equivalent to cost of 10% of all FB scholarships
- 25% reduction in FB official visits
- 14-week prohibition on recruiting comms
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports further reported that Michigan will be on probation for four years. There will also be a 25 percent reduction in football official visits, as well as a 14-week prohibition on recruiting communications. Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions, and Sherrone Moore were each given show-cause penalties by the NCAA, too. Moore will miss the first game of 2026 in addition to the Central Michigan and Nebraska games.
The NCAA levies against Michigan coach Sherrone Moore a 2-year show-cause order and a three-game suspension: his self-imposed two-game suspension and he is suspended for *the first game of the 2026 season,* sources tell @YahooSports.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 15, 2025
More details are sure to come. It will also be fascinating to read the report released by the NCAA. We should get a better look at the evidence and the whistle blowers.
Either way, this is a win for Michigan. As long as the program keeps its nose clean, it won't have any issues moving forward. The recruiting restrictions are minor, and frankly, the fine doesn't mean much.
The national championship has been vindicated. There also isn't a postseason ban which would have been crippling.
For years, people like Justin Spiro, Buckeye Scoop, and other flat-out liars on the Ohio State beat have told their fans that Michigan was going to get the "hammer," meaning vacated wins, postseason bans, and more. Some even suggested Sherrone Moore would never coach at Michigan again.
Now, they all have egg on their face, just like the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have lost four straight to the Wolverines, and their fans, who instead of celebrating their national championship, spent the offseason celebrating a "hammer" that turned out not to be.