Michigan is informed by the NCAA of the charges pertaining to recruiting violations.
Michigan also faces four Level II infractions, which are seen as less serious, while Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh faces a Level I violation for allegedly failing to cooperate with or misleading NCAA investigators about the alleged violations, according to sources. As part of a negotiated settlement for his involvement, Michigan in August self-imposed a one-game ban for offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh to start the season.
The self-imposed fines, which were implemented to lessen the severity of the NCAA sanction, were taken soon after the NCAA’s infractions committee rejected a negotiated settlement with Harbaugh that called for a suspension of four games. In August, the NCAA also made the extraordinary move of releasing a statement regarding the seriousness of the alleged breaches involving Michigan while an investigation was still underway.
Derrick Crawford, the vice president of hearing operations at the NCAA, explained in a statement that the Michigan infractions case is about improper on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and improper coaching activities not a cheeseburger in reference to the oversimplified description of the infractions in some media reports.
“The [committee on infractions] frequently requests clarification on important details before accepting. If the COI concludes that the agreement is not in the Association’s best interests or that the sanctions are not acceptable, it may also reject an NR [negotiated resolution]. Although the committee thinks cooperation is the best way to swiftly resolve difficulties, cases may move to a hearing if the concerned parties are unable to resolve them through the negotiated resolution procedure.”
A draft of the notice of accusations, outlining the Level I offense and the Level II infractions (including the alleged involvement of an off-field analyst in on-field coaching operations), was sent to Michigan in January. Back then, sources told ESPN that Harbaugh might miss as many as six games due to suspension.
A second NCAA investigation against Michigan is underway due to alleged off-campus scouting and signal-stealing activities spearheaded by the departing staff member Connor Stalions, who quit on November 4.
Harbaugh served the final three regular-season games of his three-game suspension from the Big Ten for his sportsmanship, despite the fact that Michigan has not received a notice of allegations in that case. Harbaugh might face a Level I charge for being a repeat offender under head coach accountability.
On December 2, Harbaugh was back on the sidelines for the Big Ten championship game against Iowa. On January 1, Michigan will play Alabama in the CFP Semifinal in the Prudential Rose Bowl Game. Harbaugh will be the head coach of Michigan. The NCAA will have 60 days to provide a rebuttal after Michigan has 90 days to reply to the notice of accusations.