Michigan football: Warde Manuel drops statement on NCAA investigation of Jim Harbaugh, more
Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are in hot water with the NCAA over recruiting violations committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multiple media reports, including the reporting of our Chris Balas, say that the Wolverines are facing four Level 2 violations, considered to be minor, for recruiting during the COVID-19 season. There is a Level 1 violation levied against Jim Harbaugh for not fully cooperating in the NCAA’s investigation.
Athletic director Warde Manuel said on Friday:
“Yesterday, we received draft allegations from the NCAA regarding our football program. We have cooperated and will continue to cooperate with this investigation. Out of respect to the NCAA’s enforcement process, we will not offer further comments.”
A Level 1 violation could include a multiple-game suspension from Harbaugh, but it appears the university does have his back and will fight whatever comes down from the NCAA. However, it does start to make sense why Harbaugh has qualified his statements on his status at Michigan with “no man knows the future”
“I am aware of the rumors and speculation over the past few days. College and NFL teams have great interest in all our personnel, from players to coaches to staff, and I truly believe that is a testament to the strength of our University of Michigan football program,” Harbaugh wrote in a Thursday statement.
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“As I stated in December, while no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023. I have spoken with President Ono and Athletic Director Warde Manuel and appreciate their support of me and our program. Our mission as Wolverines continues, and we are preparing for the 2023 season with great passion and enthusiasm. As our legendary coach Bo Schembechler said, ‘Those Who Stay Will be Champions.’”
At a time when tampering is at an all-time high in college football and plenty of schools are cheating out in the open, it seems silly that the NCAA is ready to come down on frivolous violations, many of which were self-reported by the university. Reports that Harbaugh is frustrated with the NCAA make sense now, as does NFL interest if the right offer were to come around. Sources still say Michigan remains in contract extension negotiations with Harbaugh that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Whatever happens, we are probably months or even years away from an NCAA resolution this issue, which is ultimately expected to be a nothing burger.
