Report: Jim Harbaugh, NCAA working toward 4-game suspension over false statements

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA are reportedly negotiating a resolution that will result in the coach being suspended for four games this season, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

The suspension stems from alleged false statements he made to NCAA investigators. It centered on an NCAA investigation into recent recruiting violations committed by the Wolverines’ staff members.

The NCAA alleged Harbaugh was dishonest about the violations in his initial meeting with investigators, per Dellenger.

“Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and NCAA are working toward a negotiated resolution that is expected to see him suspended four games this season in penalties stemming from alleged false statements he originally made to investigators, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter.

Michigan opens the season at home during its first four games against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers.

The suspension has yet to be official, but is expected per Dellenger. Harbaugh’s attorney Tom Mars released a statement, which can be read HERE.

Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and and tight ends coach Grant Newsome are expected to receive one-game suspensions as well.

“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.”

Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who’s now with the Baltimore Ravens in the same position, is expected to receive a one-year show cause.

“Harbaugh’s alleged initial cover-up was worse than the crime itself from the NCAA’s perspective,” Dellenger wrote. “In a notice of allegations sent to Michigan last year, the association cited four Level II violations, including meeting with two recruits during a COVID-19 dead period, texting a recruit outside of an allowable time period, having analysts perform on-field coaching duties during practice and having coaches watching players work out via Zoom.”

According to the report, Harbaugh acknowledged the program committed Level II violations but refused to sign any document or publicly state he was untruthful. But as Dellenger put it, the negotiated resolution is a “signal” the coach acknowledged he was partially dishonest.