Sherrone Moore reportedly facing allegations in sign-stealing investigation

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is facing allegations he violated NCAA rules related to an investigation into impermissible scouting and sign-stealing that hung over the program through its run to last season’s national championship, three people briefed on an impending notice of allegations told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Two of the people said Moore has been accused of deleting text-message exchanges with Connor Stalions — the former low-level recruiting staffer who coordinated an off-campus, advance-scouting operation — around the time the investigation was opened. That allegation was included in a draft of the NCAA’s notice to Michigan, the people said.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the notice was confidential.

One of the people said the NCAA has recommended a Level 2 violation for Moore — Level 1 is the most serious — and that messages between Moore and Stalions were recovered and that the coach provided them to the NCAA.

Moore, 38, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach when Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to become coach of the Los Angeles Chargers shortly after leading the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997.

Moore filled in as acting head coach four times last season while Harbaugh served suspensions, winning all four games, including the season finale against rival Ohio State.

Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of impermissible scouting while he was with the program, though he could face Level 1 violations along with Stalions, former assistant coach Chris Partridge — who was fired in November — and former staffer Denard Robinson, one of the people said.

Stalions did not cooperate with the investigation, the person said.

Robinson, a former star quarterback for Michigan, left the program in May, about a month after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Robinson’s alleged violation stems from a recruiting violation, not Stalions’ actions.