Jim Harbaugh is now the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and it appears he got out of Michigan in the nick of time.
After all, the NCAA just announced a four-year show-cause order for the ex-Michigan coach for impermissible contact with recruits and players. Hargaugh allegedly committed the infractions when access was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCAA accused Harbaugh of engaging "in unethical conduct" and failing to "promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations."
This follows the NCAA placing Michigan on three years probation after reaching a negotiated resolution that was approved by the committee on similar infractions.
"The panel noted that Harbaugh's intentional disregard for NCAA legislation and unethical conduct amplified the severity of the case and prompted the panel to classify his case as Level I-Aggravated, with penalties to include a four-year show-cause order. Subsumed in the show-cause order is a one-season suspension for Harbaugh," the NCAA said.
Per The Associated Press:
"Harbaugh did not go along with the agreement, disputing allegations he failed to to cooperate with investigators. Harbaugh's attorney, Tom Mars, has said the coach was not invited to participate in the settlement process or aware that an agreement had been reached between the school on the NCAA.
"... The show-cause order covers 2024-28 and would require a school wanting to hire Harbaugh to suspend him for the first full season. After that, Harbaugh would be barred from athletics-related activities, including team travel, practice, video study, recruiting and team meetings until the order expires."
Harbaugh has been suspended for one year from any athletic involvement at the NCAA level. Again, it won't impact him now ... but it could possibly result in Michigan facing harsher penalties. In other words, stay tuned.
