Michigan has self-imposed a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh following alleged recruiting violations within the football program, an industry source briefed on the discussions confirmed. Here’s what you need to know:
Backstory
Michigan was working toward a four-game suspension for Harbaugh and one-game suspensions for assistants Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome as part of a negotiated resolution to its NCAA infractions case, a team source confirmed to The Athletic on July 25.
Michigan received a draft notice of allegations from the NCAA in January outlining alleged recruiting violations, including impermissible contact with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period, and a more serious Level I charge levied against Harbaugh for his alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation.
As recently as a few weeks ago, it appeared Michigan and the NCAA were going to settle this case with a negotiated resolution that would include the four-game suspension for Harbaugh and punishment for members of his staff. Harbaugh declined to comment on the negotiated resolution but told reporters at Big Ten Media Day he had “nothing to be ashamed of.”
Without the Committee on Infractions’ approval, the expectation was that the case would move further through the NCAA disciplinary system and may not reach resolution until the 2024 offseason.
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(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)
