Jim Harbaugh attorney Tom Mars releases statement on Michigan coach's pending NCAA suspension
On Tuesday, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA are reportedly negotiating a resolution that will result in the coach being suspended for four games this season. Shortly after the announcement, Harbaugh’s attorney Tom Mars released a statement on the matter.
“We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter. At this time, we are not allowed to comment on possible penalties or other aspects of the matter,” Mars wrote, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The suspension is due to the 59-year-old head coach’s alleged false statements to NCAA investigators. It centered on an NCAA investigation into recent recruiting violations committed by the Wolverines’ staff members.
“Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and NCAA are working toward a negotiated resolution that is expected to see him suspended four games this season in penalties stemming from alleged false statements he originally made to investigators, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter.
Harbaugh isn’t the only Michigan coach set to receive punishment. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and and tight ends coach Grant Newsome are expected to receive one-game suspensions, as well. The punishments could spell disaster for the Wolverines, who will face East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers in their first four games.
Per Dellenger, the NCAA is more upset with Harbaugh’s false statements than any recruiting violations.
“Harbaugh’s alleged initial cover-up was worse than the crime itself from the NCAA’s perspective,” Dellenger wrote. “In a notice of allegations sent to Michigan last year, the association cited four Level II violations, including meeting with two recruits during a COVID-19 dead period, texting a recruit outside of an allowable time period, having analysts perform on-field coaching duties during practice and having coaches watching players work out via Zoom.”
Harbaugh has led Michigan to unprecedented success recently. In the past two seasons, Michigan won the Big 10 and made College Football Playoff appearances. The Wolverines are yet to reach the CFP Championship. However, that goal will only grow more difficult if Harbaugh is suspended.
“A quick resolution broke down in January after Harbaugh refused to admit that he lied to NCAA staff,” Dellenger wrote regarding Harbaugh. “The 59-year-old coach has maintained he didn’t recall the events when first speaking with investigators but that he was never purposefully dishonest.”
As of now, the Michigan Wolverines will begin their 2023 campaign with or without Harbaugh on Sept. 2 against the East Carolina Pirates.
On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.