The NCAA has concluded its investigation into the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal, issuing various penalties to the program. The punishments include fines, forfeited revenue, suspensions for coaches Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh, and a show-cause order for former staffer Connor Stalions.
However, the lack of a postseason ban has sparked controversy, given Michigan’s status as a repeat violator under Harbaugh. The NCAA closed its two-year investigation on August 15 with the release of its findings and punishments.
The penalties handed down by the NCAA to Michigan include a $50,000 fine, forfeiture of revenue sharing for the 2025 and 2026 College Football Playoff seasons, and show-cause orders for Stalions and Harbaugh. The most severe punishment is an eight-year show-cause order for Stalions.
Comparing the Michigan sign-stealing scandal to other notable cases in college football history reveals that some penalties were more severe than others. For example, SMU’s “death penalty” in 1987 resulted in a cancellation of the entire season due to repeated recruitment violations. Alabama was also hit with significant sanctions for a textbook scandal, while Ohio State suffered a one-year bowl ban and vacated wins due to a memorabilia scandal.
The NCAA’s death penalty has not been implemented since SMU’s case, but it remains an extreme measure used in rare instances of severe infractions. The punishments handed down by the NCAA have varying degrees of severity, with some resulting in significant fines, forfeited revenue, and show-cause orders for coaches and players involved.
In contrast to the Michigan sign-stealing scandal, other cases have led to more severe penalties, such as Penn State’s $60 million fine and four-year postseason ban following an investigation into Jerry Sandusky’s child abuse allegations. The NCAA has also taken action against Ole Miss for recruiting infractions, including a two-year postseason ban.
Overall, the punishments handed down by the NCAA in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal serve as a reminder of the consequences of violating college sports rules and regulations.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/08/15/ncaa-college-football-punishment-history-michigan-sign-stealing/85665979007