NCAA hands Jim Harbaugh hefty punishment for recruiting violations at Michigan

Jim Harbaugh has been handed a four-year show-cause order for "impermissible contact" with recruits and players - while access to do so was restricted under the COVID-19 restrictions during his time with the Michigan Wolverines .

The NCAA have stated that Harbaugh had "engaged in unethical conduct, failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations." Harbaugh led the University of Michigan to it's first National Championship in 26 years this past year before leaving the team to move back to the NFL, where he joined the Los Angeles Chargers .

While he did win the championship during his final season, it came under controversial circumstances. He was suspended for three games during the regular season with staffers from his team adjudged to have been stealing signs from opponents.

READ MORE: Michigan football analyst resigns after sign-stealing scandal and issues statement
READ MORE: College football fan smacked in head by iconic animal

The University of Michigan's football program had already been put on three years of probation along with a fine and recruiting limits, which was approved by its committee on their alleged infractions.

However, this was never agreed to by Harbaugh, who has consistently disputed the allegations, stating that he did cooperate with investigators while adding that he was not invited to have his say in the settlement process between the NCAA and the prestigious school.

A statement released by the NCAA on Wednesday, stated: "The panel noted that Harbaugh's intentional disregard for NCAA legislation and unethical conduct amplified the severity of the case and prompted the panel to classify Harbaugh's case as Level I-Aggravated, with penalties to include a four-year show-cause order. Subsumed in the show-cause order is a one-season suspension for Harbaugh."

Follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories.

It is unclear on how, if at all, Harbaugh will be punished, after leaving college football this past season following their national championship win with JJ McCarthy and company.

The 60-year-old head coach had also denied any knowledge for his staffers were stealing signs from opponents, with one of his coaches fired from their post before he himself was given a suspension until the end of the regular season.

Harbaugh was said to have multiple offers, reportedly from the Atlanta Falcons as well as another unnamed team, before he chose to join the Chargers - the team had quarterbacked for two years in his playing days.