Josh Henschke of Rivals reported Monday that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh will serve a three-game suspension at the beginning of the 2023 college football season. He will return to the team in time for their Big Ten opening game against Rutgers on September 23.
Harbaugh will miss the season-opening home game against East Carolina as well as home contests against UNLV and Bowling Green.
The school has presumably made this decision to avoid potential further punishment from the NCAA related to an ongoing investigation into the head coach.
JUST IN: We are told that Jim Harbaugh has informed those inside Schembechler Hall that #Michigan is self-imposing a three-game suspension for Harbaugh effectively immediately https://t.co/pAjCvE0jbq
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 21, 2023
Harbaugh is being accused of providing false or misleading information to the NCAA related to an investigation around the recruiting dead period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harbaugh is said to have lied to investigators, a Level I violation.
One rumor was that the violation involved how Harbaugh paid for recruits’ hamburgers.
The head coach had reportedly previously agreed to a four-game suspension with the NCAA, but that fell apart for unknown reasons. Even with the three-game suspension, the NCAA will continue its investigation and could still impose further sanctions or punishments on him and the school.
College football fans certainly had some strong reactions to the news that Harbaugh will miss the first three games of the season.
1.5 games per breakfast dad burger https://t.co/uKz0aTUhe1
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) August 21, 2023
At home against East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green.
Stunning, and brave. https://t.co/YnAzhArjKG
— CJ (@vamospatos) August 21, 2023
can only assume that michigan is afraid of rutgers and that's why harbaugh is coming back for that game https://t.co/UjhiFvg4Dd
— Bill DiFilippo (@billdifilippo) August 21, 2023
Slapping yourself on the wrist in an effort to avoid the hammer lol https://t.co/jhJsMBydUZ
— Lincoln Clay (@LincoInCIay) August 21, 2023
Really hope this means Michigan can finally put this whole thing behind them now. https://t.co/Awzm8q6Zn6
— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) August 21, 2023
