Jim Harbaugh new contract: On hold? Yes. Rescinded? No
As we first reported last week, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had his contract extension put on hold while the NCAA was investigating claims into alleged, illegal on-site scouting. That led to analyst Connor Stalions being suspended in a sign stealing operation, after which Harbaugh released a statement saying essentially he’d done nothing wrong.
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“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” Harbaugh said. “I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules.”
The NCAA was in town last week and briefed Michigan on the investigation. There was a meeting yesterday morning between the Michigan lawyers, administration, and others. A report later surfaced that Harbaugh’s contract offer had been “rescinded.” Harbaugh responded to that in today’s press conference.
“I wouldn’t say that’s accurate, no,” Harbaugh said, adding again he was forthright in the statement right away.” And we have confirmed that through multiple sources the former is true. “And the university has a policy. I think they made a statement … about the policy on contracts and publicly talking about them. I think it was worded that they don’t comment about them until they are done.”
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Sources tell TheWolverine.com the powers that be are “galvanized” given the nature of the reports and the allegations of those behind them. As always, things could change if more information is provided. But based on what they have from their own investigation and what the NCAA has given them, they are proceeding with the season, as planned.
As noted last night in our story, there were rumors of an “emergency meeting” Sunday night in which some speculated Harbaugh’s immediate future was in doubt. That was not accurate. There was a meeting that had been planned for at least a few days, per our sources at Michigan, to plan the response to the news that’s broken over the last week and probably be briefed on what the NCAA talked about with others in the administration, athletic department, etc.
We confirmed it happened Sunday morning. And all nonsense that “Jim Harbaugh plans to resign Sunday night,” etc. … that’s not what it was about. In fact, Michigan sources involved became wary of the private investigation firms involved in this and are very concerned about the investigation’s origin. That was likely discussed. And if there are ties to a rival, for example, there are more questions to be answered. It could even (and we expect would) change the university’s direction, provide more support … “Act 2,” as one source called it.
Watch for more on this development in the days and hours to come …
