Settlement talks between Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA stalled this week after Harbaugh refused to admit to committing the Class I violation the school alleged Notice of Allegation, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. The two sides drew a line during two meetings in which Harbaugh refused to sign or state he was dishonest with NCAA law enforcement officials, the report said.
In a notice of charges drafted earlier this month, the NCAA alleges that Michigan coaches practiced too much on the field, contacted two potential players during the extended COVID-19 death period, and watched practices on unauthorized video . These are level 2 violations and are considered minor. Harbaugh has acknowledged the violations and apologized to the university, but insisted he did not remember the incidents when he first spoke with investigators and never deliberately lied.
The NCAA still maintains that Harbaugh initially lied about the Class II violation, however, it was a Class I violation — the most serious allegation.
If Harbaugh hits a Class I violation, it could result in a suspension of up to six games and a recruiting restriction. Harbaugh may also receive a show cause, which means the school and coaches must report to the NCAA every six months until the penalty is over, explaining why they should not be investigated further.
Providing false and misleading information is a violation of NCAA Statute 10.1, which deals with unethical conduct. Violations of this Charter include obstructing an investigation or encouraging others to lie. Still, proving Harbaugh lied could be difficult, and a full case could take at least a year. It’s possible the NCAA could suspend Harbaugh for the second-degree violation, but the coach’s acknowledgment seems unlikely.
The NCAA investigation comes at an interesting time for Harbaugh and Michigan State. He’s been mentioned as a candidate for multiple vacancies in the NFL, but it was announced this week that he will stay on as the Wolverines’ coach.
“I love my relationships at Michigan — the coaches, the staff, the family, the administration, President San Ono, and especially the players and their families,” Harbaugh says“My heart is at the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say, ‘Don’t try to be more than happy, be happy.'” Go Blue! ”
