Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh might avoid a 2023 suspension altogether in a change of fortune for the Wolverines just weeks before the season.
Michigan’s football coach is “expected” to coach each game this season after an agreement between Harbaugh and the NCAA over penalties for a recruiting violation “has broken down,” an industry source told Yahoo Sports.
The sides had been working toward an expected four-game suspension for Harbaugh, providing what the NCAA classified as false statements, but “hurdles arose.”
Now the deal is off, and potential punishment “almost certainly” will not happen until the offseason, pushing Harbaugh’s potential suspension into 2024.
The NCAA could push for a full hearing, which would delay the process, according to ESPN.
Michigan could also impose its own penalties, per the report.
“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,” NCAA Vice President of Hearing Operations Derrick Crawford told Yahoo Sports. “It is not uncommon for the [Committee on Infractions] to seek clarification on key facts prior to accepting. … If the involved parties cannot resolve a case through the negotiated resolution process, it may proceed to a hearing, but the committee believes cooperation is the best avenue to quickly resolve issues.”
Tom Mars, Harbaugh’s attorney, responded to the NCAA on Saturday.
“Pursuant to the NCAA’s internal operating procedures, and under threat of penalties, Michigan, the involved coaches, and their lawyers are prohibited from uttering a word about this ongoing case,” Mars tweeted. “Yet the NCAA can issue a public statement putting its spin on the case?
“Unreal.”
Harbaugh’s expected four-game suspension stemmed from recruiting violations, including Harbaugh and his staff meeting with recruits during a dead period, per the report.
Michigan’s coach reportedly was not honest with the NCAA, resulting in the penalties for Harbaugh and some of his staffers.
Harbaugh did not comment on the situation during Big Ten media days.
“I’m not allowed to talk about any aspect of that ongoing situation,” Harbaugh told ESPN. “I’d love to lay it all out there. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but now is not that time.”
Harbaugh had been lined up to miss a rather unimposing slate of games.
Michigan opens its season Sept. 2 at home against East Carolina, and in the next three games welcomes UNLV, Bowling Green and finally Rutgers on Sept. 23 for its Big Ten opener.
It’s possible Harbaugh could avoid suspension altogether should he return to the NFL following this season, his ninth in Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh will now instead be on the sidelines for this game as Michigan attempts to reach the College Football Playoffs for the third straight season.
The Wolverines are ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll, behind only back-to-back national champion Georgia and two spots ahead of bitter rival Ohio State.
The Big Ten is expected to be a three-team race between No. 2 Michigan, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 7 Penn State.
