why is michigan coach suspended

The Michigan head football coach, Sherrone Moore, is suspended for a total of three games due to his involvement in a sign-stealing scandal from the 2023 season. The suspension includes two games of the 2025 season (Weeks 3 and 4 against Central Michigan and Nebraska) as part of self-imposed sanctions by the university, plus an additional game in the 2026 season opener. The suspension arises because Moore allegedly deleted a thread of 52 text messages with a former Michigan staffer, Connor Stalions, who orchestrated an illegal advanced scouting and sign-stealing scheme. This scandal resulted in severe NCAA penalties against Michigan, including multimillion-dollar fines, recruiting restrictions, and show-cause penalties for both Moore and former coach Jim Harbaugh. Despite the suspensions, Moore is allowed to coach in the first two games of the 2025 season, including an important match against his alma mater, Oklahoma. The NCAA deemed Michigan's self-imposed penalties insufficient, adding the third game suspension in 2026.