Former Michigan Wolverines head football coach Jim Harbaugh was levied significant sanctions as a result of the NCAA's investigation into recruiting violations committed by the school during the COVID-19 dead period.
The NCAA handed Harbaugh a four-year show cause, as well as a one-year suspension from college football if he were ever to return to the coaching ranks. The sanctions come as a result of COVID-19 recruiting violations, as well as Harbaugh's lack of cooperation with the investigation and presentation of false/misleading information related to the investigation.
This penalty is for violations separate from the NCAA's ongoing sign-stealing investigation into former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions.
During the four-year show-cause order, Harbaugh would be barred from "all athletically related activities" at any NCAA school that chose to employ him. Harbaugh would also be suspended from 100% of football-related activities in his first year back with a college program.
Harbaugh's attorney Tom Mars slammed the NCAA's findings and related sanctions on Wednesday in a statement posted on X.
"The way I see it, from Coach Harbaugh's perspective, today's COI decision is like being in college and getting a letter from your high school saying you've been suspended because you didn't sign your yearbook. If I were in Coach Harbaugh's shoes and had an $80 million contract as head coach of the Chargers, I wouldn't pay any attention to the findings of a kangaroo court which claims to represent the principles of the nation's most flagrant, repeat violator of federal antitrust laws."
My thoughts on today’s NCAA decision re Coach Harbaugh. 🦘⚖️ https://t.co/eMtUdIgXK5 pic.twitter.com/4LvPtXnxUj
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) August 7, 2024
Harbaugh is back in the NFL coaching the Los Angeles Chargers, so it will be business as usual for him unless he ever makes a return back to the college ranks.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Former Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh Receives Four-Year Show-Cause From NCAA.
