Michigan is self-imposing a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh to begin the 2023 season, stemming from alleged violations committed during the COVID-19 dead period.
Harbaugh will miss home games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green before making his return to the sideline for Michigan’s Big Ten opener Sept. 23 against Rutgers. In July, he had seemingly been set for a negotiated resolution and a four-game suspension to begin the season, but the NCAA’s infractions committee rejected the agreement earlier this month, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Michigan’s self-imposed suspension for Harbaugh is designed to soften the potential ruling from the NCAA, which likely won’t come until 2024, a source said. Harbaugh faces a Level I violation for not cooperating with or misleading NCAA investigators about the alleged violations.
Rivals.com first reported Michigan’s self-imposed suspension for Harbaugh.
The NCAA took the unusual step of issuing a statement about an ongoing investigation earlier this month when it outlined some specifics of the Michigan situation and the negotiated resolution process.
Harbaugh has declined to comment about the investigation but said in July at Big Ten media days, “I’d love to lay it all out there — there’s nothing to be ashamed of — but now is not that time.”
Sources told ESPN in January that Harbaugh could face a suspension of three to six games for a Level I violation. Michigan also faces four Level II violations, which are considered less serious.
Harbaugh, 59, is entering his ninth season at Michigan, his alma mater. He has guided the Wolverines to consecutive Big Ten championships and College Football Playoff appearances, and Michigan enters the fall as the league favorite. Harbaugh is 74-25 as coach of the Wolverines.