ESPN reports that the NCAA has formally handed the University of Michigan a notice of complaints. The warning is a result of claims made by the NCAA about suspected infractions committed by the football staff during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period, as ESPN reported.
The head coach of Michigan football, according to sources who spoke with ESPN, may have violated Level I after he allegedly disregarded or even lied to investigators.
Four Level II offenses are currently facing the university. The penalties for Level II offenses are usually less severe than those for Level I violations. The aforementioned infractions were first discovered in January.
It was revealed that Harbaugh would serve a self-imposed three-game ban just before the start of the 2023 college football season. As part of a negotiated settlement, Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator for the Wolverines, also missed one game.
While the investigation was still ongoing, the NCAA stated in August outlining the gravity of the claimed infractions.
In the statement, Derrick Crawford, the vice president of hearing operations at the NCAA, stated that the Michigan violations case is about improper coaching activities and on-campus and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period, not about a cheeseburger.
“Before accepting, the [committee on infractions] frequently requests clarification on important information. A negotiated settlement (NR) may also be rejected by the COI if it finds that the sanctions are unreasonable or that the agreement is not in the Association’s best interests. The committee feels that cooperation is the best way to swiftly address difficulties, but if the concerned parties are unable to resolve a case through the negotiated resolution procedure, it may proceed to a hearing.”
In January, Michigan received a draft of the notice of the allegations. Both the Level I and Level II offenses that Harbaugh is alleged to have committed were detailed in the affidavit. According to ESPN, one of the other possible infractions is using a defensive analyst off the field to conduct on-field coaching operations.
Michigan’s involvement in an alleged sign-stealing operation and forbidden off-campus advanced scouting are the subject of a separate NCAA investigation. A crucial player in the potential operation has been identified as Connor Stalions, a former football staff member.
When Harbaugh was handed a three-game suspension for the last three games of the regular season, the Big Ten invoked its sportsmanship code. Michigan has ninety days to reply to the allegations notice. The NCAA will then be able to respond for up to 60 days.
Earlier this month, Harbaugh was watching the Wolverines defeat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship from the sidelines. With a flawless regular season record, Michigan qualified for the College Football Playoffs. On January 1, Rose Bowl Stadium will host the Wolverines’ semifinal matchup with Alabama.