The University of Michigan is on probation for the next three years for violations during the COVID-19 death period and for allowing members of the non-coaching staff to participate in impermissible roles under former football coach Jim Harbaugh. As a result, he will face further penalties from the NCAA.
The penalties, which also included fines and recruiting fines for Michigan State, were part of an agreement between NCAA enforcement staff, the University of Michigan, and “five individuals who currently or previously worked for the football program.” .
The NCAA said in a statement that one former coach was not part of the agreement and that “this portion of the matter will be considered separately by the Committee on Infractions.” Coaches who did not participate were not named by the NCAA.
Harbaugh received a self-imposed three-game suspension at the start of the 2023 season for these violations, which are separate from the sign-stealing incident involving Conor Stallions that occurred later that year.
“Today's joint resolution pertains to the University of Michigan Athletic Department and several former and current members of the University of Michigan Athletic Department,” University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in a statement. I am pleased that we were able to reach a resolution on this issue.” The program can move forward. We do not have additional information and cannot comment further on other aspects of the NCAA investigation. ”
Last summer, the University of Michigan appeared to reach a resolution with the NCAA that would suspend Harbaugh for four games and new head coach Sherone Moore and new offensive line coach Grant Newsome for one game. The agreement collapsed in May. 2023 season.
Michigan State first received a draft notice of allegations related to recruiting violations and coaching activities by members other than the coaching staff in January 2023. The violations included in-person contact with recruiters and tryouts during the NCAA-mandated COVID-19 death period and exceeding the number of coaches allowed. According to the NCAA, he participates in “both on-field and off-field coaching activities.”
According to the clarification adopted in 2019, these violations are Level II, defined as conduct deemed to be “more than minimal, but less than substantial or widespread adoption, competitive or other advantage.” Classified as a violation.
Additional Level I violations were filed against Harbaugh, and Harbaugh told the NCAA he had no recollection of the Level II violation, which the NCAA determined was misleading. Level I violations are defined as “serious conduct violations” that “significantly impair or threaten the integrity of college sports.”
Multiple sources told the Free Press that Michigan admitted to a Level 2 violation when official notification of the allegations was sent in December, just before the Wolverines appeared in the College Football Playoff for the third straight year. However, Harbaugh had pleaded not guilty to the Level 1 violation.
The Wolverines won the first three games of the season without Harbaugh, and Harbaugh returned for the next six games, but was suspended again by the Big Ten for another scandal and missed the final three games of the regular season.
Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti suspended Michigan for the second time after Michigan State's alleged sign-stealing operation became public in late October. Shortly after the news became public, Mr. Stallions was identified as the ringleader. Mr. Stallions allegedly purchased tickets to games of future University of Michigan opponents, sent colleagues to games, and filmed opponent signals on the sideline that were not available on television.
Harbaugh and Michigan State initially filed a court order seeking a stay of his three-game suspension against the Big Ten, but dropped the lawsuit before it was scheduled to go to court, accusing Harbaugh of violating the conference's sportsmanship policy. He accepted the suspension that was handed down to him.
Harbaugh returned to the postseason and led the University of Michigan to another Big Ten Championship and the school's first national title since 1997.
Following Tuesday's news, Harbaugh's attorney, Tom Mars, told the Free Press in a text message that he had filed a response on behalf of the former Michigan coach, which ended Harbaugh's involvement. Ta.
“I submitted a lengthy response to the NOA on behalf of Coach Harbaugh, but unfortunately it has not been made public and will probably never see the light of day,” Mars said. “Coach Harbaugh's involvement in this incident is now over.”
Since the national championship win over Washington, Harbaugh left the Michigan program to take the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore, who served as interim coach during Harbaugh's suspension in November, was promoted to head coach at the end of the season.
Harbaugh's move also spurred a wave of staff turnover, with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter joining Harbaugh.
