The NCAA has issued a four-year show-cause order to former Michigan coach, Jim Harbaugh, for inappropriate contact with recruits and players during the COVID-19 pandemic when access was restricted. The NCAA stated that Harbaugh engaged in unethical behavior, failed to uphold compliance standards, and violated his obligations as head coach. This decision came after Michigan had already been placed on three years of probation, fined, and faced recruiting restrictions as part of a negotiated resolution with the NCAA.
Harbaugh disputed the allegations and did not agree to the settlement between the school and the NCAA. The NCAA panel intensified the severity of the case, considering Harbaugh’s deliberate disregard for NCAA rules and unethical conduct, leading to a Level I-Aggravated classification with penalties, including a four-year show-cause order and a one-season suspension for Harbaugh.
The show-cause order will be in effect from 2024 to 2028, requiring any school seeking to hire Harbaugh to suspend him for a full season initially. Subsequently, Harbaugh will be prohibited from engaging in athletics-related activities until the order expires, encompassing team travel, practice, video study, recruiting, and team meetings.
The investigation into Michigan’s impermissible in-person scouting and sign stealing during the 2023 championship season, which resulted in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh by the Big Ten, is ongoing. If multiple violations are found, Michigan could face harsher sanctions as a repeat violator by the NCAA.
Meanwhile, the new Michigan coach, Sherrone Moore, faces allegations of violating NCAA rules related to the scouting and sign-stealing investigation. Moore has been accused of deleting text messages exchanged with a former recruiting staffer who organized off-campus scouting, according to sources briefed on the matter. The NCAA has recommended a Level 2 violation for Moore, with recovered messages provided to the NCAA for review.
Moore, who took over as head coach after Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, faces scrutiny over his involvement in the scouting controversy. In-person scouting is strictly prohibited by the NCAA, and Stalions, the former recruiting staffer, will discuss the matter in a documentary scheduled to air on Netflix on August 27.
Harbaugh maintained his innocence in the sign-stealing scandal, denying any involvement or awareness of the alleged actions. The NCAA investigation into Michigan’s misconduct continues, with potential consequences looming for the program.
