Jim Harbaugh will serve a suspension this season after all.
Michigan announced Monday that is self-imposing a three-game suspension on Harbaugh amid an investigation by the NCAA, which alleged that Harbaugh was dishonest regarding alleged recruiting violations that occurred during the COVID-19 dead period.
Harbaugh will miss each of Michigan's three nonconference games to open the season against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green. He will return to action when the Wolverines open Big Ten play against Rutgers Sept. 23.
“While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, today's announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “We will continue to support Coach Harbaugh, his staff, and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA's guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved.”
Harbaugh said in a statement released by Michigan that he “will continue to do what I always do and what I always tell our players and my kids at home, ‘Don’t get bitter, get better.’“
In a notice of allegations received by Michigan in January, the NCAA alleged that the Wolverines had two impermissible meetings with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period, a Level II violation. A number of other Level II violations were alleged as well, including texting a recruit outside of a contact period, exceeding the NCAA's limit for on-field coaches and having staffers watch players workout over Zoom.
The NCAA then alleged that Harbaugh was dishonest when questioned about the above Level II violations, which it deemed a Level I violation.
It appeared that the NCAA and Michigan would originally come to an agreement on a four-game suspension, but talks broke down earlier this month, which means the NCAA’s disciplinary case against Harbaugh will continue into 2024.
"The Michigan infractions case is related to impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger (as had previously been reported),” NCAA vice president of hearing operations Derrick Crawford said in a statement earlier this month. “It is not uncommon for the (Committee on Infractions) to seek clarification on key facts prior to accepting."
Harbaugh and Michigan self-imposed a three-contest ban to “appease” the NCAA, per Maize and Blue Review, which initially reported the news of the self-imposed suspension. However, it’s still possible the NCAA could impose further sanctions upon Harbaugh and the Michigan football program next year.
Ohio State is slated to renew its rivalry with the Wolverines Nov. 25 in Ann Arbor.
