Jim Harbaugh won't admit fault in Level 1 violation, and Michigan has his back
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has accepted responsibility for his role in Level II violations levied against him by the NCAA, per a report. However, he reportedly disputes the Level 1 alleged infraction that he was accused of after the NCAA demanded he admitted he “lied to investigators,” per Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel.
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As reported here last week, the university stood behind Harbaugh after he acknowledged wrongdoing over contact with committed recruits during a COVID-related dead period. Sources said he had lunch with them when they stopped by for an impromptu visit. He was also cited for allowing an analyst to perform some coaching duties on the field and having some coaches watch players work out during Zoom meetings.
None of these would likely have resulted in major punishment.
However, Harbaugh denies knowingly lying to the NCAA, which Wetzel reports has become a sticking point in resolving the case. As we’d reported, Harbaugh was looking at a possible 6-game suspension. Sources told TheWolverine.com that was expected to be reduced significantly — however, it appears the NCAA won’t budge unless Harbaugh admits being dishonest to investigators.
And again, it comes down to buying a few burgers or breakfast at an impromptu visit from committed recruits to which he apparently denied recollection. Sources have said Harbaugh’s apology and willingness to take a suspension are reasonable to U-M, but a half season suspension is not. If that’s the course the NCAA chooses, Michigan is prepared to go through a protracted and robust defense, up to and including litigation.
As Wetzel noted, “the battle lines have been drawn,” and sources inform TheWolverine.com Michigan has Harbaugh’s back, and then some. Sources indicated he would “never” admit he purposely lied, and as Wetzel noted, “it is generally challenging to prove someone knowingly lied without detailed contemporaneous evidence, which sources say the NCAA either lacks or simply doesn’t exist.”
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“The NCAA could back off its attempt to gather that admission and resolve the case otherwise,” Wetzel wrote. “However it has made no indication that it will do that. An NCAA punishment, even a short suspension, on the Level II violations without any admission of lying might be acceptable to Harbaugh. Anything involving admitting dishonesty would not, sources said.”
If not resolved, the NCAA could proceed with a full case and issue a notice of allegation, which could take years to resolve. Harbaugh would be able to coach in 2023 without penalty, most likely — however, it remains to be seen if (or why) the NCAA would continue to pursue charges against Harbaugh without evidence when, as one source put it, “this is nothing compared to what other schools have faced without penalty.”
“In the past, cooperation was often the path of least resistance for schools,” Wetzel wrote. “But the NCAA has lost significant credibility and power over the past decade.”
To say the least.
Watch for more on this development in the days (and months?) to come.
