Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh pushed back forcefully after reports surfaced that the NCAA is planning to slam the university with a notice of violations following an investigation into their sign-stealing scandal.
Harbaugh is one of four individuals involved now accused of Level 1 violations.
A Level I violation is considered the most serious by the NCAA and would likely result in some stiff penalties. Athlon Sports has previously reported that it could result in a two-year postseason ban.
Harbaugh, who left Michigan in a shroud of controversy to accept a head coaching position with the Los Angeles Chargers, has denied any wrongdoing. In fact, he pulled very few punches in his comments regarding the latest news.
“Never lie, never cheat, never steal. I was raised with that lesson.” Harbaugh said on Monday, “I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I have coached.”
“No one is perfect. If you stumble, you apologize, and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize,” he continued. “I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations.”
“So, it’s back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
Jim Harbaugh on Michigan’s notice of allegations:
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) August 5, 2024
“No one’s perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and make it right. Today, I do not apologize.”
(via @chargers) pic.twitter.com/IIT35We3so
RELATED: Michigan Football Program Facing Possible Two-Year Postseason Ban From The NCAA: Report
Jim Harbaugh, New Michigan Head Coach Wrapped Up In Cheating Allegations
Jim Harbaugh was hit with a suspension last season due to his alleged involvement in the sign-stealing cheating scandal. But it wasn’t handed down by the NCAA.
The Big Ten Conference suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 regular season as a result of the university’s violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy.
The suspension came following an initial NCAA investigation into the sign-stealing operation orchestrated by a non-coaching staff member of the Michigan football program. An investigation which later also revealed alleged recruiting violations.
The scheme involved sending representatives to games to scout future opponents, which is prohibited by NCAA rules.
Harbaugh, according to Fox News, is accused of “not cooperating with an investigation into the school because he denied its request to view cellphone records.”
And quite frankly, why would anyone hand over their cell phone records to an organization like the NCAA?
Michigan went on to win the National Championship, but Harbaugh exited shortly thereafter and the university hired Sherrone Moore to coach the team.
Moore now faces his own allegations, which are a little bit above what Harbaugh is accused of doing.
The new Wolverines coach is accused of “deleting more than 50 text message exchanges between himself and ex-Wolverines staffer Connor Stalions, who is at the center of the scandal.”
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Paul Finebaum Sides With Michigan, Obliterates The NCAA
Sports personality Paul Finebaum chimed into the debate and vigorously defended Jim Harbaugh and Michigan regarding the cheating scandal. He slammed the NCAA as an administrative body that nobody respects.
“This is all a continuation of a long, drawn-out story that in many people’s eyes, probably other than the NCAA, is over,” he told ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.
“In the big picture of college athletics, nobody respects the NCAA. Nobody really cares about the NCAA,” he added. “And there are a team of lawyers ready to drag this out and to threaten the NCAA if they dare do anything to Michigan other than a slap on the wrist.”
These latest reports seem to indicate the punishment will be much more than a slap on the wrist. However, the legal process might push any enactments into the 2025 season.
A postseason ban – if one comes – would be a significant blow to Michigan’s football program, which has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. The Wolverines have won three consecutive Big Ten championships, culminating in last year’s championship run.
It would most certainly affect recruiting top-tier players who will pass over the school in favor of college teams that can compete in postseason bowl games.
Will the cheating scandal take down coach Moore while Jim Harbaugh emerges relatively unscathed by moving on to the NFL? Will the school have to vacate its national title?
There are a lot of questions that will need to be answered in the coming months – if not years.
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