ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Jim Harbaugh said Thursday afternoon he intends to remain with the Wolverines through the 2023 season, but if he does, he and the program will reportedly face an NCAA investigation for "alleged violations during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period," ESPN reported.
According to the publication, the Michigan football program is due to receive official notice of the allegations from the NCAA in the coming weeks for four Level II violations -- which the athletic organization described in a 2019 guideline as "more than a minimal but less than a substantial or extensive recruiting, competitive or other advantage."
In addition, Harbaugh himself is said to get hit with a Level I violation, or a “severe breach of conduct” that “seriously undermine or threaten the integrity of college sports."
The probe centers on allegations that Michigan football breached recruiting contact rules during the COVID-19 timeframe and Harbaugh failed to comply with or lied to NCAA investigators when he was questioned, ESPN reported.
Harbaugh's Level I violations are more serious than the ones being levied against the university's football program and have the potential to lead to harsher penalties, which could include suspension for at least one or more games.
A request for comment made by ESPN to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel was declined on Thursday.
In the same day news of the allegations broke, Harbaugh and Michigan football issued a statement amid rumors of his potential departure to the NFL, echoing what he said last month, albeit with less certainty:
"As I stated in December, while no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023. I have spoken with President Santa Ono and athletic director Warde Manuel and appreciate their support of me and our our program. Our mission as Wolverines continues, and we are preparing for the 2023 season with great passion and enthusiasm.
"As our legendary coach Bo Schembechler said … Those who stay will be champions.”
Harbaugh led the Wolverines to an undefeated regular season in 2022 and their second straight Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth. They fell short of their final goal of winning the national championship.
If Harbaugh does indeed stay, not only will he look to give the national championship another shot, the NCAA will loom overhead.
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