On January 8th ,2024, the Michigan Wolverines won their first NCAA Football National Championship since 1998. They defeated the Washington Huskies by a score of 34-13. Although victorious, the 2023 Michigan football season was riddled with scandal and controversy.

Then Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had to serve two in season suspensions during the 2023 season. The first suspension was a self-imposed 3 game suspension from the University of Michigan for the first 3 games of the season. This was because of the NCAA and Michigan could not come to a resolution of punishment of recruiting violations during Covid-19.  On November 10th, 2023, the Big Ten Conference suspends Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for sign stealing allegations, this was after Michigan assistant coach Connor Stalions was seen and proven to be on the sidelines of Central Michigan while they were playing Michigan State. Stalions was alleged to be there to steal the signs of Michigan State. Harbaugh’s suspension was for the final 3 games of the regular season. He was able to coach Michigan in the post season including the National Championship game. This was a conference suspension; the NCAA was still conducting their investigation on the alleged sign stealing scandal.  Michigan fans hoped this was end of the scandals and the ordeal. It was not.

In the 2024 offseason, Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Michigan assistant coach Sherrone Moore was promoted to head coach replacing Harbaugh.  While the NCAA was still conducting their investigation into all the University of Michigan allegations including the recruitment violations. The NCAA suspended Jim Harbaugh for one season and to show cause for 4 years. This means that if Harbaugh comes back into the NCAA to coach in any capacity, he will still have to serve a one-year suspension. This suspension is for Harbaugh not telling the truth to NCAA investigators during the recruiting investigation. And the new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has his own problems with the NCAA investigators.

New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore allegedly deleted 52 text messages to Conor Stalions on the October 2023 day of the media reporting the sign stealing scandal. Moore is one of 7 members of the Michigan coaching staff being investigated. He could face a suspension or further discipline. The Michigan football program is still under investigation by the NCAA.

The University of Michigan is far from being out of the woods with these scandals. And Jim Harbaugh leaving his alma mater for the NFL reeks of guilt. College football fans will have to wait for the investigation to be complete to know the consequences for Michigan. From all indications is that they will probably not have to vacate their National Championship. But they will likely be punished by the NCAA. And that punishment will be felt in the 2024 season and beyond.