Report: NFL not 'safe harbor' for Michigan's Jim Harbaugh to escape NCAA discipline

The Michigan football program has been embroiled in scandal over the last 12 months, which has some folks believing head coach Jim Harbaugh could jump ship back to the NFL this coming offseason.

The latest of those scandals to arise is the sign-stealing. Of course, Michigan is accused of organizing an elaborate plan to steal opposing team’s signs by sending spies to their opponents’ games to film the sidelines in the weeks prior to the Wolverines playing them. That’s the current off-field story that’s dominating college football.

But let’s not forget the other issues within Michigan’s football program, like the fact that Jim Harbaugh served a self-imposed suspension the first few games of the season over recruiting violations and is still likely to face more punishment once the official NCAA ruling comes in on that one. Oh, and back in January, Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator was fired over allegations of unauthorized computer access serious enough that the FBI is now involved.

It’s safe to say that, off the field, Michigan football is certainly not in a great spot. So, perhaps at the end of this season, Harbaugh does decide to leave it all behind and rejoin the NFL ranks. Except, NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport don’t think he’d be able to abscond so easily.

They wrote on Sunday of a possible Harbaugh move back to the NFL:

“The NFL is unlikely to make itself a safe harbor for Harbaugh to escape what could be substantial NCAA discipline, league sources say, raising the strong possibility Harbaugh would need to serve some or all of any possible suspension he could face in college if he returns to the pros.”

Remember, Harbaugh could face suspension from both the sign-stealing and the recruiting scandals. If he does decide to return to the NFL, Pelissero and Rapoport are saying those suspensions could follow him. However, that’s not an official NFL rule.

“There isn’t a bylaw governing the matter,” the report added. “But sources pointed to former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel as precedent for how the NFL and its teams could handle a college suspension of Harbaugh.”

When Tressel left Ohio State and joined up with the Colts shortly after, he ultimately did have to serve a suspension stemming from violations that occurred when he was at Ohio State. But it was not an official suspension from the NFL.

“It wasn’t officially announced as a suspension, but in consultation with the NFL, the effect was the same. And the point was made: No one should escape discipline by leaving college for the pros.”

That last line is the key: the NFL is not a sanctuary for college cheaters. Pelissero and Rapoport say Jim Harbaugh ought to understand that if he does try to make the leap back.

“That precedent could prove relevant for Harbaugh, who interviewed for the Vikings and Broncos head coaching jobs the past two offseasons, respectively.”