Jim Harbaugh pressed on status of NCAA investigation, suspension

A report from Yahoo! Sports emerged this week that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is likely facing a four-game suspension as a result of an NCAA investigation into potential Michigan violations and subsequent discussions with the NCAA over what really happened.

On Thursday at the Big Ten Media Days Harbaugh was asked about the status of a potential suspension, but he wasn’t able to offer many more details.

“As you probably already know I can’t, I’m not allowed to talk about any aspect of that ongoing situation,” Harbaugh said. “I’m with you, I’d love to lay it all out there. Nothing to be ashamed of. But now is not that time. That’s about all there is to say about that.”

The NCAA has reportedly alleged that Harbaugh was dishonest about the violations in his initial meeting with investigators, according to the Yahoo! Sports report by Ross Dellenger.

In negotiating a resolution in the matter following the NCAA investigation, Harbaugh and the NCAA seem likely to end up with a four-game suspension for the coach.

“A quick resolution broke down in January after Harbaugh refused to admit that he lied to NCAA staff,” Dellenger wrote regarding Harbaugh. “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.”

Paul Finebaum critical of NCAA investigation, process

The NCAA investigation and entire ordeal has drawn criticism from some prominent corners of the college football world, with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum blasting the NCAA over its handling of the situation.

“Let’s start with the NCAA. It’s beyond a clown show, Greeney, it is a clown show and the fact that that they would sanction him for this is really beyond the pale,” Finebaum said on Get Up on ESPN on Wednesday morning. “I mean, essentially, He’s accused of buying somebody a hamburger and then not telling the truth about it.

“Don’t eject me out of my seat here, but I’m starting to respect Jim Harbaugh for standing firm and refusing to go down the NCAA’s path. This could have been over with a long time ago, but Harbaugh would not admit he lied. And because the NCAA is so backwards and so antediluvian, they ended up with this agreement.

“In the end, the NCAA has no jurisdiction over anyone or anybody and they can’t push things too far, because the schools will take them to court and the NCAA maybe will lose. But in the end, I think Jim Harbaugh looks really good here and this might be my final broadcast ever on this earth, because I’m leaving.”