Michigan athletic director says school will 'fight' NCAA over cheating scandal investigation

University of Michigan athletic director Ward Manuel's football program is under investigation for several serious alleged violations of NCAA rules.

During an appearance on Michigan Insider this week, Manuel said he and the university intend to “fight” during the NCAA's investigation.

“First of all, we're going to fight when we need to fight,” Manuel said, “and if we make a mistake, we're going to acknowledge it and address it. I don't want people to think that just because we're not going to talk about it publicly, and I can't, that means we're not going to fight for what we think is right for the University of Michigan and the people here. We're going to fight.”

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The team is under investigation for alleged illegal sign-stealing by former staff member Connor Stallions, an investigation that began midway through last season and led to former head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for the final three games of the regular season.

Harbaugh became head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers long before the investigation was concluded after the team beat Washington to win the national championship.

The NCAA recently announced it was issuing a four-year show-cause order to Harbaugh following an investigation into Michigan's improper contact with recruits and players during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manuel added that his program isn't about ignoring the rules.

“But at the same time, we also have to understand that if we've done something that's against the rules, and we know that it's against the rules, we need to acknowledge that and move forward and address it. There's a duality there. There's a sense of responsibility to abide by the rules that we said we were going to participate in, but if it gets to a point where we feel like it's gone too far or we feel like we need to fight something, then we absolutely will,” he said.

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Blue team's Donovan Edwards (7) and head coach Sherone Moore are interviewed following the University of Michigan spring football game at Michigan Stadium on April 20, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Jamie Crawford/Getty Images)

Michigan State running back Donovan Edwards told Fox News Digital this week that the investigation will not affect the team.

“I haven't heard anything personally. We're concerned about today, not anything else,” Edwards said. “We're concerned about what's going on in Schembechler Hall, not what other people say or controversies. We can only control what we can control, and that's our attitude, our effort and our daily actions.”

The NCAA and the University of Michigan announced Sunday that Michigan received a final Notice of Charges from the NCAA in connection with its investigation into alleged misconduct by the Stallions. The university has 90 days to respond, after which it will have a hearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions, although a negotiated settlement is still possible.

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Connor Stallions stands on the sideline during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network)

Stallions was initially placed on administrative leave by the school and later resigned. He is not involved in the investigation. He is expected to break his silence on Tuesday, when the documentary “Sign Stealer” debuts on Netflix.

Harbaugh denied knowing about any violations.

Meanwhile, head coach Sherone Moore, who served as Harbaugh's top assistant in 2023 and served as interim head coach during Harbaugh's multiple suspensions, addressed his alleged relationship with the Stallions two weeks ago. Moore is accused of deleting text messages with the Stallions.

“I can tell you this: I look forward to them being released,” Moore said of his text messages with the Stallions.

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