Cover Up?: Michigan's Jim Harbaugh Faces 4-Game Suspension For NCAA Violations

The Michigan Wolverines play East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers in their first four games of the season.

USA Today Sports

The Michigan Wolverines and the NCAA are working towards a "negotiated resolution" that will see head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for the first four games of the college football regular season, according to a report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

The penalties are a result of false statements Harbaugh made to investigators about potential recruiting violations committed by him and his staff, which the NCAA has deemed more serious than the violations themself, Yahoo Sports wrote. The NCAA Committee of Infractions will review the potential resolution and either approve or adjust the penalty as they see fit.

"We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter," Harbaugh's attorney Tom Mars told ESPN's Pete Thamel. "At this time, we are not allowed to comment on possible penalties or other aspects of the matter."

The investigation found that Michigan had meetings "with two recruits during a COVID-19 dead period, texting a recruit outside of an allowable time period, having analysts perform on-field coaching duties during practice and having coaches watching players work out via Zoom," according to Yahoo Sports' report.

However, those are considered Level II infractions by the NCAA which is defined as “less than a substantial or extensive recruiting, competitive or other advantage” that usually result in minor punishments.

The Level I infraction, which is the NCAA's most serious offenses, is the fact that Harbaugh lied to investigators which is punishable of up to a six-game suspension and other recruiting restrictions.

Other Michigan staffers that could face penalties are offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald who could face a show-cause penalty, which makes it more difficult to get a college football coaching job.

The Wolverines play East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers in their first four games of the season.

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