It was reported Monday that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh will be serving a three-game suspension to start the 2023 season.
That suspension will end with Harbaugh returning in time for the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener against Rutgers in week 4.
The school self-imposed sanctions in order to appease the NCAA and stay out of more trouble.
Harbaugh made the announcement to the team on Monday, according to Josh Henschke of Rivals.
JUST IN: We are told that Jim Harbaugh has informed those inside Schembechler Hall that #Michigan is self-imposing a three-game suspension for Harbaugh effectively immediately https://t.co/pAjCvE0jbq
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 21, 2023
Harbaugh is accused of providing false or misleading information to the NCAA after it launched an investigation into alleged violations made by Michigan’s staff in 2021 during an extended recruiting dead period in place stemming from COVID-19. The NCAA alleges that Harbaugh lied to investigators during an initial meeting, which constitutes a separate Level I violation.
In order to save itself and Harbaugh’s future with the team, the school decided to suspend him. The NCAA apparently won’t make a decision on Harbaugh’s future until next year, so that could be the main reason they decided to jump the gun and take care of it themselves.
Whether or not this will be enough to avoid future punishment is not known. Harbaugh maintained his innocence throughout the investigation but suspending him for the first three games, especially against three non-conference opponents that Michigan will face at home, may not be enough to appease the NCAA.
{Josh Henschke, CBSSports.com}
