Josh Pate Suggests Eye-Opening Punishment for Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan Massey | Last updated May 10, 2025 2:35 PM ET

The Michigan Wolverines and head coach Sherrone Moore could be facing punishment from the NCAA over the sign-stealing issues they are being investigated for, which was led by former staffer Connor Stalions.

With the Committee of Infractions meeting coming up in less than a month, Michigan can only wait to find out what comes from the situation. The hiring is scheduled to be held on June 6 and 7.

Following the hearing, it is expected that the NCAA will make a decision within 45 days.

Josh Pate, a notable college football analyst, has suggested an eye-opening punishment that could be appropriate for the infractions the Wolverines are accused of committing. If his suggested punishment were to be handed down, it would be a huge setback for Michigan.

"For several level-1 violations (if upheld?)," he wrote. "Massive fines, loss of scholarships, and a multi-year 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

Should that be the case, the Wolverines' program would take a massive hit. They would have a long road ahead to recover from it.

Michigan has already gotten ahead of the game. The program has decided to impose a self-inflicted two-game suspension on Moore early in the 2025 season.He is being suspended due to his role of deleting 52 text messages with Stalions. Moore will likely serve that suspension in Week 3 against Central Michigan and in Week 4 against Nebraska.

The Athletic recently released a quote from an anonymous coach who thinks the NCAA should hand down a harsh punishment to the Wolverines.

“I promise you that coaches still care about this,” a Power 4 head coach — not in the Big Ten — said this week. “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.”

No one knows what the NCAA is going to do, but the tension is starting to rise as the hearing draws closer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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