Michigan football timeline of trouble since Jim Harbaugh hire, from Sherrone Moore firing to sign-stealing scandal

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Michigan football timeline of trouble since Jim Harbaugh hire, from Sherrone Moore firing to sign-stealing scandal originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Michigan will have a third head coach in four seasons by the time 2026 rolls around – and that coach will face the unenviable task of restoring the program's reputation.

The hits have not stopped coming since 2023. NCAA investigations and sudden coach firings have been among the scandals the program has encountered. The Wolverines are 31-8 on the field – including a 15-0 season that led to a national championship in 2023. That success has been overshadowed by multiple off-field scandals involving Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions, and Sherrone Moore.

Moore was fired on Wednesday after the university found "credible evidence" of an inappropriate relationship. Moore was subsequently arrested Wednesday after allegedly breaking into a Michigan staffer's home. He was arraigned Friday on charges of felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering.

This is the latest legal and public relations disaster for the University of Michigan. Here is a look at a timeline of trouble beginning in 2023.

MORE: Latest news on Sherrone Moore's firing and arrest

Jim Harbaugh and 'BurgerGate'

Jan. 5, 2023: Michigan received an NCAA notice of allegations against Jim Harbaugh for impermissible contact with recruits during COVID-19. Harbaugh reportedly met with recruits at the Brown Jug, a restaurant in Ann Arbor, Mich., and paid for their hamburgers. The incident became known as "Burger Gate." Michigan self-imposed a three-game suspension for Harbaugh to start the 2023 season. He was suspended for games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green as a result of the school-imposed suspension. Moore also served a one-game suspension for his role in the incident and missed the season-opener against East Carolina. The NCAA defended the decision.

"The Michigan infractions case is related to impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger," NCAA vice president of hearing operations Derrick Crawford said in the statement via ESPN.com.

Matt Weiss fired, charged with computer crimes

Jan. 17, 2023: Michigan fired offensive coordinator Matt Weiss. Weiss reportedly had gained unauthorized access to computer accounts at Schembechler Hall. On March 20, 2025, Weiss was indicted by the FBI on 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to the United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Michigan indictment: "once Weiss obtained access to these accounts, he downloaded personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners."

In December 2025, an FBI affidavit revealed security footage showed Weiss entering team offices just before allegedly hacking into computers and downloading photographs and videos.

Schemy Schembechler – son of Bo Schembechler – resigns

May 20, 2023: Schemy Schembechler resigned from his position as assistant recruiting director just three days after he was hired. According to the Detroit News, Schembechler – the son of former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler – had "liked" several insensitive posts on Twitter.

MORE: Best candidates to replace Sherrone Moore at Michigan

Connor Stalions' sign-stealing scandal

Oct. 18, 2023: Four days after No. 2 Michigan beat Indiana, 52-7, the NCAA notified the Big Ten and Michigan it received allegations of in–person scouting and sign stealing that were in violation of Bylaw 11.6.1. The investigation centered around staffer Connor Stalions, an off-field analyst. Stalions faced allegations of purchasing tickets to several Big Ten schools in his name to obtain film and signals, a practice prohibited by the NCAA. This led to multiple penalties in the following weeks.

The scandal became the dominant storyline in college football for the remainder of the 2023 season and resulted in additional suspensions and firings at Michigan.

On Nov. 3, Stalions resigned following mounting pressure after footage surfaced showing him on the Central Michigan sideline during a game against Michigan State on Sept. 21, 2023.

Central Michigan later would receive NCAA sanctions for the incident.

Big Ten suspends Jim Harbaugh for three games

Nov. 10, 2023: Harbaugh was given a three-game suspension by the Big Ten. He missed the final three regular-season games against No. 2 Penn State, Maryland, and No. 10 Penn State. The Wolverines dropped their appeal of the suspension. In a Big Ten statement: "The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh's involvement in the allegations." Harbaugh served the three-game suspension before the Big Ten Championship Game.

Moore served as interim coach for those three games, leading the Wolverines to three straight victories. After a 24-15 win over Penn State, Moore gave a tearful, profanity-laced interview.

"I want to thank the Lord and I want to thank Coach Harbaugh," Moore said in a live TV interview. "I f––– love you, man. I love the s–– out of you, man. Did this for you, for this university, the president, our AD. We got the best players, best university, best alumni in the country. Love you guys. These f––– guys right here, these guys right here, man. These guys did it."

Michigan fires Chris Partridge

Nov. 17, 2023: Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired stemming from "a lack of cooperation with the NCAA investigation."

Denard Robinson involved in auto accident

April 15, 2024: Denard Robinson, a former Michigan quarterback on the recruiting staff, was arrested after being involved in a car crash while intoxicated. Robinson is later sentenced to probation for the incident. He is suspended and later relieved of his duties on the staff.

Sherrone Moore accused of deleting texts from Connor Stalions

Aug. 5, 2024: The NCAA's notice of allegations against Michigan for the in-person sign-stealing scandal revealed that Moore allegedly deleted 52 text messages with Stalions.

MORE: What to know about scandal that cost Sherrone Moore his job

Jim Harbaugh given first show cause penalty

Aug. 7, 2024: Harbaugh is given a four-year show cause penalty for his role in the first NCAA investigation involving impermissible contact with recruits during the dead period during COVID-19.

MORE: Sherrone Moore's sudden firing creates questions that need answers

Two more Michigan coaches given show-cause penalties

April 25, 2025: Former Michigan assistant coaches Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale were given one-year show-cause penalties for their roles in the in-person scouting scandal.

President Santa Ono resigns

June 23, 2025: Michigan president Santa Ono resigned from his post with the university.

NCAA penalizes Michigan for sign-stealing investigation

Aug. 16, 2025: The NCAA reveals Michigan's punishments for the in-person scouting scandal. The Wolverines do not receive a bowl ban or forfeit games. Michigan is given a significant fine "expected to be more than $20 million."

Moore is suspended for one game in 2026. Stallions is given a 10-year show-cause penalty. Harbaugh is given an eight-year show-cause penalty, which would start after his four-year show-cause penalty from the first NCAA investigation. Robinson is given a three-year show-cause penalty.

The punishment is meant with criticism because Michigan did not have to forfeit games or miss the postseason.

Sherrone Moore fired for 'inappropriate relationship' with staff member

Dec. 10, 2025: Moore was fired by Michigan after the university found "credible evidence" that he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Additionally, multiple reports have surfaced that he was investigated for "at least" two additional incidents during his time as head coach.

Dec. 22, 2025: The Athletic reported that Moore had contact with at least five women on social media while at Michigan. One woman showed the outlet that Moore had asked to fly her to come see him. The Athletic also added that the school was made aware of Moore's online interactions with women online as early as the fall of 2024:

The behavior shared with school officials wasn’t criminal and didn’t involve university employees, the two people said, but it raised red flags about his poor judgment and lack of discretion.
“It was not sexual harassment,” said one of those officials. “It was propriety, ‘Are you an idiot?’ kind of stuff.”

Sherrone Moore arrested, charged with felony and two misdemeanors

Just hours after being fired by athletic director Warde Manuel, Moore was detained by police and later booked into the Washtenaw County jail. Friday, the 39-year-old father of three was charged with felony home invasion, along with misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor stalking. Moore could face more than 6 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Interim head coach Biff Poggi said afterward that "it has been a tumultuous time" for the program, and there was a "lot of anger."

"At first disbelief, then anger, then really, what we're in right now is the kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed, and we're trying to work through that," Poggi said of the Moore situation at Michigan.

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