Jim Harbaugh working chain gang for youth football game during suspension

Since he won’t be on the sidelines vs. UNLV on Saturday, Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh decided to spend his off day giving back to the community.

Saturday afternoon, ESPN reporter Sean Ritchlin posted a photo of Coach Harbaugh at a youth football game, where he was helping out as part of the chain gang. Check out that photo right here:

Coach Harbaugh working the lines for the kids today!@UMichFootball @umichhockey #sthugo pic.twitter.com/5d4Xe0soVT

— Sean Ritchlin (@RitchlinSean) September 9, 2023

While Harbaugh is measuring first downs for middle school children, his Wolverines will take the field at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) to try and advance to 2-0 on the year with a win over the Runnin’ Rebels.

More on Harbaugh suspension

Harbaugh was initially set to serve a four-game suspension for the 2023 season, but a deal with the NCAA fell through and was to be revisited in 2024. When it looked like Harbaugh would coach this fall unscathed, the administration felt best to self impose a suspension for its coach.

The university released a statement after making the decision.

“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.

“While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, today’s announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process,” Manuel said. “We will continue to support coach Harbaugh, his staff, and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA’s guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved.”

The release also said the interim coach would be revealed on a future date.

Some of the violations included Zoom contact with recruits during the pandemic, an impromptu visit to the Brown Jug for burgers and allowing an analyst to perform on-field coaching duties. None are considered major offenses by the NCAA.

During Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh brushed off any questions regarding a suspension or eventual lack thereof.

“No comment on any aspect of it. I always treat everything like a football game. Every time, win or lose, I come to this podium or this stage since 1982,” Harbaugh said. “As a football player, football coach, I could lay it all out there, but this is one of those situations where I cannot do that.”