There's a chance the reigning college football champions could start the season without their head coach for a second straight year.
A notice of allegations (NOA) reportedly says new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore violated NCAA rules related to the investigation into the football program's sign-stealing scandal.
Moore, who replaced Jim Harbaugh after he left for the Los Angeles Chargers, is reportedly accused of deleting more than 50 text messages with Connor Stalions, the former low-level recruiting staffer who coordinated an off-campus advanced scouting operation, near the time the investigation was opened.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Sherrone Moore (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images/File)
The NOA said Moore is accused of committing a Level 2 violation; Level 1 is the most serious.
“Our athletic department and the university continue to cooperate with the NCAA regarding our ongoing investigation,” Michigan said in a statement to the Associated Press. “We do not have any updates to share on his status at this time.”
Moore, 38, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach when Harbaugh left Michigan for Los Angeles to become Chargers coach shortly after leading the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997.
Moore served as interim head coach four times last season while Harbaugh was serving suspensions, winning all four games, including the season finale against rival Ohio State.
Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of any unauthorized scouting activities while in the program, although he could face Level 1 violations.
Jim Harbaugh (Justin Casterline/Getty Images/File)
NCAA releases details of proposed $2.78 billion settlement with former athletes
Stalions resigned from his position in November, about a month after the investigation was opened. The school initially suspended him with pay. He was an off-field analyst for the football team, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Despite suspensions and testing, Michigan won the College Football Playoff against Washington, 34-13.
Shortly after scoring two touchdowns in the title game, running back Blake Corum (now with the Los Angeles Rams) fought back against those who say the title is illegitimate.
“At the end of the day, what else do you want us to prove, man? Whatever happened at the beginning of the season, after that, you say we stole signs,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital at the time. “We went on the road and we beat Penn State, we beat Ohio State, we beat Iowa, we beat Alabama, we beat Washington. All of these teams are top 10 in every category, offense and defense. We handled it.”
Blake Corum of the Michigan Wolverines scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies during the CFP National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston on January 8, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Michigan begins its title defense Aug. 31 against Fresno State; it will visit Washington in a title game rematch Oct. 5, as the two are now Big Ten rivals following the dismantling of the Pac-12.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on X and subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
