Michigan's football program has been placed on three years of probation, fined, and hit with recruiting limits by the NCAA due to impermissible contact with recruits and players during the COVID-19 pandemic. The violations occurred under former coach Jim Harbaugh's leadership.
The NCAA announced that a negotiated resolution has been reached with the school, involving five former and current coaches and staffers. Notably, the settlement did not include allegations of Harbaugh failing to cooperate with investigators, which is now being treated as a separate case.
Michigan's athletic director, Warde Manuel, expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating that it allows the student-athletes and football program to move forward. However, details regarding the fine amount were not disclosed.
Harbaugh's attorney, Tom Mars, raised concerns about the coach not being involved in the settlement process and questioned the NCAA's intentions for excluding him. The recruiting violations are distinct from a previous investigation into in-person scouting and sign stealing during Michigan's 2023 national championship season, which led to a suspension for Harbaugh by the Big Ten.
The NCAA highlighted that the school acknowledged a head coach responsibility violation and a failure to ensure compliance with recruiting rules. The committee is yet to determine potential violations and penalties for the former coach.
In addition to Harbaugh's suspension, Michigan imposed one-game suspensions on then-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and assistant Grant Newsome in connection with the impermissible contact case. Moore, who served as interim head coach during Harbaugh's suspensions, has since been promoted to head coach.
These developments could potentially label Michigan as a repeat violator by the NCAA, leading to more severe sanctions. Harbaugh, who recently departed to coach the Los Angeles Chargers, was not directly named in the NCAA's announcement.
