ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan football continues to stay in the news and not in a good way. For the third time this week – NFL rumors, Weiss investigation, NCAA rules infraction – Michigan continues to be on the national stage for college football but not in a good way.
It has been reported by that a “prolonged path to resolution” for Michigan and Harbaugh will take place after multiple meetings with the NCAA this week to have a negotiated resolution. A source told ESPN that the NCAA wanted Harbaugh to admit that he had lied to them about the incident at the restaurant and buying burgers for recruits.
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Yahoo Sports first reported details this week on the details of two meetings with the NCAA. An admission that he lied would have led to him accepting a multiple-game suspension facing the potential NCAA Level I violation. The initial investigation for recruiting violations were at Level II which are less punishable by the NCAA. ESPN says the Level I violation is being added as part of a more serious charge for not cooperating with the NCAA enforcement staff.
The investigation could not take more than a year with the suspensions coming for the 2024 season as it most likely wouldn’t be concluded by the start of 2023 season. The two parties are at an impasse as Harbaugh says he doesn’t recall the incident in question. The NCAA says he is lying about this and that is the main issue leading to the Level I violation.
Michigan’s imagery of the “Michigan Man” has taken a turn in the past week with Harbaugh interviewing for jobs, co-offensive coordinator Weiss being put on leave for “computer crimes”, and now Harbaugh’s potential lying to the NCAA. Along the lines, also, star defensive player Mazi Smith was put on probation for a misdemeanor gun charge that wasn’t looked into until after the playoffs.
At least we know, for now, Harbaugh is staying to be the head coach and not going to the NFL. Is that a good thing for the Wolverines? The next few months will reveal that.
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