NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations

Jim Harbaugh, the former Michigan football head coach who led the Wolverines to the 2023 national championship, has been suspended for one year and hit with a four-year show-cause order by the NCAA after he was found to have demonstrated both “unethical conduct” and a failure to promote “an atmosphere of compliance” as it pertains to an investigation into impermissible recruiting during a COVID-19 dead period in 2021

The NCAA's released its 48-page document in its entirety Wednesday and specified "this decision solely relates to Harbaugh's conduct" after the school agreed to a three-year probation in April which included recruiting violations.

There's also now more specifics about the alleged wrongdoings by Harbaugh, who was charged with a Level I violation for "misleading investigators." The NCAA says he changed his story.

"During the investigation in this case, Harbaugh denied meeting with the two prospects," the report reads. "Initially, he told Michigan and the enforcement staff that he had no recollection of meeting either prospect or their fathers.

"In a subsequent interview he went further, unequivocally disputing that either meeting happened. Despite his denials, the weight of the factual information—including statements from the prospects, their fathers, and other football staff members, as well as documentation such as receipts and expense reports—demonstrates that Harbaugh was physically present and engaged in these meetings."

LEFT OUT:Five teams snubbed in the preseason Top 25 ranking

WHAT TO KNOW:Preseason outlooks for every team in preseason poll

The show-cause order will run effective immediately, from Aug. 7, 2024 through Aug. 6, 2028. Should he leave his current position as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and return to the college ranks in any capacity during this specified window, Harbaugh would be suspended for the first season he returned.

The show-cause penalty is so a coach can't simply move schools within the NCAA to avoid punishment. Because of the ruling, during the show-cause timeline, Harbaugh is "barred from all athletically related activities, including team travel, practice, video study, recruiting and team meetings."