Harbaugh responds to looming suspension: "Nothing to be Ashamed of"
Published Jul. 27, 2023, 2:07 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Harbaugh’s first public response since word came down he was facing a four-game suspension from the NCAA was short and to the point on Thursday.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, the Michigan football coach said he’s “not allowed to talk about any aspect” of the ongoing investigation into his program, which faces multiple Level II violations. Harbaugh, himself, is staring at a Level I violation for allegedly misleading investigators who were looking into potential recruiting violations as Michigan came out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
“I’m with you, I’d love to lay it all out there,” Harbaugh told reporters at Lucas Oil Stadium. “(I have) nothing to be ashamed of. But now is not that time. That’s all there is to say about that.”
Michigan officials haven’t commented on the nature of the investigation, but sources confirmed to MLive that the school recently submitted a request for a negotiated resolution to the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions for a fast-tracked result.
The agreement, according to
Published reports, calls for Harbaugh, 59 and set to enter his ninth season at Michigan, to serve a four-game suspension. A pair of assistants, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome, could face a one-game suspension as well, while a one-year show-cause penalty is on the table for former staffer Mike Macdonald. Macdonald left Michigan last year to become defensive coordinator of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
The Wolverines are set to open the season against East Carolina (Sept. 2), Nevada, Las Vegas (Sept. 9), Bowling Green (Sept. 16) and Big Ten foe Rutgers (Sept. 23).
“We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said via statement through a team spokesman earlier this week. “At this time, we cannot comment further on any aspect of the matter.”
-- Courtesy of Aaron McMann |