Michigan officials, lawyers and football coaches are preparing for the next step of a secretive NCAA process, a two-day Committee on Infractions hearing that will, likely in the next eight to 12 weeks, reveal the punishments from an investigation into an alleged illegal scouting/sign-stealing scheme that launched Oct. 19, 2023.

COI hearings used to be the norm, but in the last decade, the NCAA has made clear its preference to reach more amicable negotiated resolutions with universities and individuals, thus avoiding this much longer process. Michigan’s COI hearing that begins Friday is the first since Tennessee’s in 2023, and several lawyers with experience involving the NCAA shared with The Detroit News how the COI process unfolds and what’s to be expected.

It is not a courtroom and is

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