Michigan's Jim Harbaugh To Serve Self-Imposed Three-Game Suspension

Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sidlines for the Wolverines until Big Ten play begins on Sept. 23.

Ohio State football won't have to worry about Michigan until Week 13 for what could decide the Big Ten East for a third consecutive year, but eyes are on Ann Arbor for a different reason Monday. 

According to reports, Michigan is self-imposing a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh to begin the 2023 season as punishment for a Level I recruiting violation that took place during the COVID-19 dead period. 

Harbaugh informed the team of the school's decision before Monday's practice, according to The Detriot Free Press. 

Rivals.com first reported Michigan's self-imposed Harbaugh's self-imposed suspension.

Harbaugh, who has led the Wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten coference titles and a pair of College Football Playoff appearances, will miss home games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green before making his return to the sidelines for Michigan's Big Ten opener against Rutgers on Sept. 23. 

In July, Harbaugh was accused of providing false or misleading information to the NCAA amid an investigation of Michigan's staff during the 2021 season. It was initially reported that the ninth-year coach would receive a four-game suspension to begin the season, but the NCAA's infractions committee rejected the agreement earlier this month, according to multiple reports. 

Michigan makes it official: self-imposed 3-game suspension for Jim Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/ceM93AFvkO

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) August 21, 2023

The self-imposed suspension from the school could soften Harbaugh's eventual ruling from the NCAA, which is expected to come in 2024. According to the NCAA rules, a Level I violation could result in a suspension of up to six games. Michigan also faces four Level II violations, which are considered less severe. 

Harbaugh, 59, has remained adamant that he did not intend to mislead investigators with false information during the process. During Big Ten Media Days last month, he declined to comment on the situation, stating that "now is not the time." 

Hired in 2015 after a four-year stint in the NFL, Harbaugh is 74-25 since taking over at Michigan. The No. 2 Wolverines enter this fall as the preseason favorites to claim their third Big Ten title since his hiring. 

No. 3 Ohio State faces off against Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 25 at Noon. 

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