Jim Harbaugh, Michigan, self-imposed 3-game suspension amid NCAA investigation

After all, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will be suspended for part of this season.

Yahoo Sports can confirm that Harbaugh is expected to be suspended for the first three games of the regular season for making what the NCAA deems to be false statements amid an investigation into alleged recruiting violations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harbou informed his team of the suspension Monday afternoon.

Corn and Blue ReviewRivals.com Michigan website, I reported the news for the first time.

It’s a self-imposed suspension from the university that will allow Harbaugh to return to Michigan’s Week 4 game versus Rutgers on September 23, the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener. Michigan is closing in on back-to-back Big Ten championships and eyeing a national title in 2023.

Harbaugh and the NCAA had previously reached a preliminary agreement for the coach to suspend him for four games, but those talks broke down last week. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports stated that snags arose in those negotiations and the issue is likely instead to move further through the NCAA’s disciplinary system – likely after the 2023 season.

Since then, Harbaugh and Michigan have apparently reconsidered, and he will now miss his team’s first three games of the season versus East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green. All three games will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, as will the Wolverines’ Week 4 game versus Rutgers—a game that will mark Harbaugh’s return to the sidelines. Even with Michigan imposing the self-suspension, the NCAA could decide to impose more penalties.

In a notice of allegations sent to Michigan in January, the NCAA alleged that the Wolverines had unauthorized meetings with two recruits during a COVID-19 death. Other violations — which are all considered Level II — include texting a recruit out of call period, exceeding NCAA limits for on-field coaches by having analysts direct players during practice and having coaches watch players practice on Zoom.

Harbaugh was accused of being dishonest when the NCAA questioned him about alleged violations committed during the COVID-19 death period. Harbaugh’s alleged treason was deemed a Level 1 violation. Yahoo Sports reported last month that Harbaugh admitted the program committed Level II violations but refused to sign any document or state publicly that he was dishonest with the NCAA application.

“Michigan’s infraction case concerns impermissible on- and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 death period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger,” said NCAA Vice President Derek Crawford. Uncommon for [Committee on Infractions] For clarifications on key facts before admission. … If the parties involved cannot resolve the issue through the negotiated settlement process, it may proceed to a hearing, but the Commission believes that cooperation is the best way to resolve issues quickly.”