The NCAA is charging Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with a Level I violation for allegedly providing false or misleading information in an investigation into recruiting violations in the wake of Covid-19, a source in the investigation confirmed Tuesday. The Detroit News first reported the breach.
Kurt Swoboda, a spokesman for the athletics department, confirmed that Michigan received formal formal notices from the NCAA this week. Michigan has 90 days to respond to the allegations, which were first outlined in a draft notice of allegations sent in January.
The draft notice outlined four Level II charges, which include impermissible contact with recruiters and scouts performing coaching duties, as well as a Level I charge against Harbaugh for failure to cooperate. Some of those charges were settled through negotiations, but Michigan and the NCAA were unable to reach a settlement on the level of charges against Harbaugh. .
Michigan imposed a three-game suspension on him to start the season after the NCAA Committee on Infractions rejected a proposed four-game suspension as part of a negotiated settlement.
The announcement of charges received this week is unrelated to the NCAA investigation into in-person searches and autograph theft. Harbaugh was suspended three games by the Big Ten for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy linked to an in-person scouting ring allegedly coordinated by former employee Connor Stallions.
The formal announcement of the charges is a prelude to a violation hearing that could occur sometime in 2024. Possible consequences include a show-cause penalty for Harbaugh and an additional suspension through the 2024 season.
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