Jim Harbaugh Hit With Lofty Penalties From NCAA Violations At Michigan

Former Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh left college football for the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers this offseason, but his exit didn't keep him from receiving a heavy punishment from the NCAA for violations in Ann Arbor.

The NCAA Division I Committee made its official release public on Wednesday, including a four-year show-cause and one-year suspension for Harbaugh's involvement in impermissible recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period in 2021.

The Wolverines, last year's national champions, attempted to get ahead of the penalties by suspending Harbaugh for three games to begin the 2023 season.

The recruiting violations garner a Level II violation, but Harbaugh's “provision of false or misleading information” during the investigation prompted a Level II violation, the most serious levied by the NCAA. The release also cites “unethical conduct” and a failure to promote “an atmosphere of compliance."

“Head coaches are presumed responsible for violations that occur within their programs,” the release states. “Due to Harbaugh’s personal involvement in the violations and his failure to monitor his staff, he could not rebut the presumption, resulting in a violation of head coach responsibility rules.”

In a separate matter, the university and five staffers reached an agreement with the NCAA earlier this year for recruiting and coaching by non-coaching staff members. Three years of probation, a fine of $5,000, plus 1% of its football budget and recruiting restrictions were levied as a result.

Michigan is also under investigation for an entirely separate issue involving a sign-stealing scheme headlined by former staffer Connor Stalions. The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the regular season as a result of the investigation that is still ongoing.

Harbaugh signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Chargers in January. If he chooses to re-enter the college ranks during the four-year show-cause order, he would be suspended the entirety of the first season.

Michigan hired former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore to succeed Harbaugh’s nine-year tenure following his NFL departure. Moore was also suspended for one game last fall for his involvement in the dead-period recruiting violations.

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