When it comes to the Michigan Wolverines and the NCAA investigation involving former staffer Connor Stalions and his advanced scouting tactics, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Looking at the message boards of Michigan’s rivals, it would be easy to assume Michigan is bound to receive a stiff penalty from the NCAA.
However, the facts aren’t on the side of that happening, even if the noise has been relentless and at times deafening since Oct. 2023.
The word ‘hammer’ has been used constantly, even by anonymous Power Four coaches. Here’s what one told The Athletic.
“This was a major deal, and you can’t minimize it. It’s bad for college football. (Stealing signals) might be more common than you think, but the extremes they went to? I’ve never heard of anything like it, and they need to get the hammer.”
CBS Sports’ Josh Pate went so far as to say that if Level I violations are upheld that Michigan should receive a postseason ban.
For several level-1 violations (if upheld?)
Massive fines, loss of scholarships, and a multi-year postseason ban
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) May 9, 2025
The issue with anyone shouting ‘hammer’ or hinting at a postseason ban or a vacation of wins, there is no evidence to suggest anything of the sort will transpire for Michigan. Insiders like ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who many perceive as an Ohio State mouthpiece, even has made clear that those extremes don’t even seem to be in the cards for the NCAA as they weigh punishment.
“Talking to people who trade in this NCAA infractions space in the last 24 hours, the one thing I’m certain of is that any accomplishments that they won will not be taken away,” he said. “Those typically involve players who are not eligible. There’s really no players involved in this. That is as close to certain as you can possibly be when dealing with the NCAA. And then a postseason ban… it’s extremely difficult to get a postseason ban.”
Michigan’s “accomplishments are safe”, Per Thamel, and, if anything, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore could face a brief suspension.
NCAA President Charlie Baker even weighed in back in January of 2024. If Baker’s comments are taken at face value, no huge punishment is going to transpire.
Baker on Michigan
“At the end of the day, no one believes at this point that Michigan didn’t win the national title fair and square.”
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel noted Baker’s comments in March and said he hasn’t spoken with the NCAA regarding any type of postseason ban.
“I have not had any conversation (with the NCAA) about postseason bans or penalties that are coming,” Manuel said. “What I can point to is that (NCAA President) Charlie Baker — when we won the (national) championship, (he) said (Michigan) won it fair and square. That’s something I can say that gives me some sense that they understand that this was a team who won that championship fair and square. I look at that, and as we move forward we’ll see how it goes, but the process continues.”
Michigan will meet with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions (COI) on June 6 and 7, and the NCAA will likely make a ruling within 45 days of the hearing. And based on logic, evidence, and reason, the narratives of a hammer being dropped on Michigan will be proven to be BS and all smoke, no fire.