Michigan football: Thoughts on Harbaugh’s proposed suspension

Jim Harbaugh appears to be staring at a four-game suspension to start the 2023 football season, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday afternoon. Yahoo Sports was the first to report the news, saying that the penalties toward Harbaugh and the Michigan football program stem from alleged false statements to NCAA investigators as it pertains to frivolous recruiting violations.

Harbaugh has been steadfast in denying any wrongdoing to the NCAA, which has been a sticking point in the resolution of this issue that goes back months. 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.

Harbaugh’s lack of cooperation with the NCAA is considered a Grade I violation and would result in most cases in a 6-game suspension. For months, the two sides have been working on a deal to move on from the situation. Sources told The Wolverine’s Chris Balas that the penalty could have been reduced significantly had Harbaugh admitted to wrongdoing, but it has not come to pass.

If this punishment goes through, which could take days or weeks to finalize, Harbaugh would miss games against ECU, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers to start the season. Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome could also face discipline. Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is also expected to receive a one-year show-case penalty.

The NCAA’s attempt at putting its foot down remains laughable, even if there was some insubordination on the part of Harbaugh. There have been scandals far more serious in college sports than the one Michigan is involved in, but the NCAA mall cops cannot help themselves in a time where their power is dwindling more than it ever has.

It is unlikely Harbaugh will admit to wrongdoing other than to say he cannot recall the events and what took place. By definition, the cover-up is probably worse than the crime here, but it is what it is, and non-rivals across the country are laughing at how this is being handled from an NCAA perspective.

That said, like it or not, the NCAA is still the governing body of the sport and simply taking the slap on the wrist may have prevented a bigger issue. Michigan is lucky to avoid the 6-game suspension, as that would have also covered games at Nebraska and Minnesota. It still does not sit well that something as silly as burgers and Zoom workouts led to any potential dishonesty from Michigan’s head coach, especially when the rules were so fluid and uncertain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How it affects Michigan on the field

Michigan might not be affected on the field in the first four weeks of the season with a light non-conference schedule and home game with Rutgers, a perennial doormat in the conference. But the first third of the regular season is often for building chemistry and identity, and not having the head coach around for the early part of the year will be a test for a team that has national title aspirations.

Michigan’s player leadership will have to step up and band together during this weird and uncertain time. Harbaugh would be allowed to coach throughout fall camp, and then turn things over to his coaching and support staff, which is one of the very best in the country. Now, that depth and the culture built over the last few seasons will be tested now more than ever.

The season opener might be the trickiest week to navigate now, especially if Moore and Newsome are facing suspensions. That would put running backs coach Mike Hart in line to coach as the team’s interim man for one week with quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell potentially calling plays. That is speculation for now but could be how things shake out if Michigan is down Harbaugh and two offensive assistants.

Keep it locked here for the latest on the Harbaugh situation and more from Michigan football in the lead-up to the season.

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