The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 9 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan has been negotiating with the NCAA about potential punishment for Jim Harbaugh over al- leged recruiting violations. Now, a re- port has emerged that negotiators are working toward a four-game suspen- sion for the coach, as well as punish- ment for a few of his assistants. The penalties stem from alleged false statements Harbaugh originally made to investigators in what some have said is a case of the "cover-up being worse than the crime" deal. "A quick resolution broke down in January after Harbaugh refused to ad- mit that he lied to NCAA staff," Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger wrote on July 25. "The 59-year-old coach has maintained he didn't recall the events when first speaking with investigators but that he was never purposefully dishonest." As first reported months ago, the uni- versity stood behind Harbaugh after he acknowledged wrongdoing over con- tact with committed recruits during a COVID-related dead period. Sources said he had lunch with them when they stopped by for an impromptu visit. He was also cited for allowing an an- alyst to perform some coaching duties on the field and having some coaches watch players work out during Zoom meetings. None of these infractions would likely have resulted in major punishment. However, Harbaugh denied knowingly lying to the NCAA, which as Yahoo's Dan Wetzel first reported months ago, became a sticking point in resolving the case. Originally, sources told us Harbaugh was looking at a possible six-game (or more) suspension. They also said that was expected to be reduced significantly, but added the NCAA wasn't going to be as forgiving unless Harbaugh admitted being dishonest to investigators. Nobody has confirmed whether Har- baugh has gone that route. He reportedly initially refused to admit that he lied to NCAA staff, saying he "didn't recall" the events. His attorney, Tom Mars, released a short statement after the Yahoo report. "We are continuing to work coop- eratively with the NCAA staff on an en- forcement matter," Mars told ESPN. "At this time, we are not allowed to com- ment on possible penalties or other as- pects of the matter." It seems clear, though, that a decision is expected sooner than later. Yahoo re- ported, "The agreement is an initial ver- sion of the negotiated resolution and is not yet finalized. The resolution must now be approved by the NCAA Com- mittee on Infractions, which could take several days if not weeks. The committee [also] has authority to adjust penalties." If enacted, Harbaugh would miss the games against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers. Yahoo also reported former U-M defen- sive coordinator Mike Macdonald — now in the same job with John Harbaugh's Bal- timore Ravens — is expected to receive a one-year show-cause penalty, while U-M offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome are also expected to receive sanctions. Sources have said Moore and New- some are each facing one-game sus- pensions should the punishment hold, meaning they would likely also miss the opener versus ECU Sept. 2 in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh has only been available to the media once since spring football started in late February, at which point he was asked about the allegations. "That's one of those things I don't think I'm at liberty to discuss," he said. "But I think it's going to be treated the same [as everything]. 'OK — good. Work on that.' I just don't think it's something that's [a distraction], at least what I've seen around this building of this program. "… Compare us to perfect and we're going to come up short. In the major ar- eas, compare us to any other program, and I think you're going to see that it doesn't get any better. You talk about graduat- ing players — it's not up to perfect, but it's as close as you could possibly be in graduating players over the years. Talk about doing things with integrity on the field, off the field, players, coaches, staff, everybody within this football program … about as close as you can get to perfection. "Winning games … 13-1 was not per- fect, but that's what we keep striving for. We keep chasing that perfection." Harbaugh was set to meet the media July 27 at Big Ten Media Day in India- napolis with several of his players, the kickoff to his ninth season leading the Michigan program. ❑ ❱ Inside Michigan ATHLETICS Jim Harbaugh Will Likely Miss Michigan's First Four Games Due To NCAA Suspension If the suspension is enacted, Harbaugh will miss the first four games of the season against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL