Jim Harbaugh releases statement following three-game suspesion

Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sideline for Michigan‘s first three games of the 2023 season. The Wolverines’ headman was motivational instead of bitter after the fact, according to a statement he released on Monday.

“I will continue to do what I always tell our players and my kids at home, ‘Don’t get bitter, get better,'” Harbaugh said, via ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Overall, Harbaugh will miss games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green, respectively. He will return to the sidelines for the Big Ten Conference opener against Rutgers on Sept. 23.

The issues with Harbaugh and Michigan stem from recruiting during COVID-19 dead period. The reported infractions include contacting recruits via Zoom throughout the pandemic, paying for recruits meals and permitting an analyst to perform on-field coaching duties.

None are considered to be damning offenses, and Harbaugh is hoping the self-imposed ban will soften the eventual blow when the NCAA eventually hands out a final ruling in the future.

Michigan has also released a statement of its own on the matter earlier in the day.

“The University of Michigan Athletic Department today (August 21) announced that is self-imposing sanctions in an ongoing NCAA matter related to its football program,” the statement read. 

“Included in the self-imposed sanctions is a three-game suspension for Coach Jim Harbaugh, to be served during the opening three regular-season games of the 2023 season. The sanctions are in addition to previously imposed recruiting restrictions.”

Athletic director Warde Manuel also released a statement, saying that the announcement is a way for Michigan to address its mistakes and that he will support Harbaugh, his staff and the roster he built through the investigation. He concluded by saying that, per the NCAA guidelines, he was unable to comment any further on the matter.

Harbaugh goes into the 2023 season with a 74-25 record at Michigan since 2015 and a 132-52 record overall with the Wolverines, Stanford and San Diego. He’s led Michigan to back-to-back Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances, and all signs point toward Michigan competing at the same level in 2023.

While the Wolverines are expected to take care of business is Harbaugh’s absense, the program has yet to name an interim head coach in his stead. AD Manuel said that will be announced at a later date despite Michigan playing its first game in less than two weeks against East Carolina.