What was originally a 4 game suspension has now been moved to 3 for Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh.
School officials believe the ban is consistent with the NCAA’s ruling in similar cases. The Wolverines infractions case is related to on- and off-campus recruiting trips during the COVID-19 dead period. Harbaugh received a Level I violation after the NCAA accused him of being dishonest during its investigation into the violations.
Michigan handed down Harbaugh’s punishment in an attempt to get out in front of potential NCAA sanctions related to an investigation of impermissible contact with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period. He will be allowed to coach on non-game days, following NCAA rules.
Four of Harbaugh’s assistants will have an opportunity to lead the team during his suspension. He announced this last week, also naming his 84-year-old father, Jack, assistant head coach and gave strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert an additional title as associate head coach.
Harbaugh will miss Michigan’s first three matchups against non-conference opponents: East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green. The Wolverines head coach would be eligible to return for the team’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers on Sept. 23.
Who’s taking over?
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will serve as head coach in the opener. Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh will fill his father’s role with the team in the first half of the second game while running backs coach and former Michigan star Mike Hart takes over the duties in the second half. In his second game back from a suspension, Moore will be the head coach in the final two non-conference games.
Michigan will go into the season ranked number two. They also come in off back to back College Football Playoffs. Michigan will look to go to a third straight College Football Playoffs, but will have to do the first three games without Harbaugh. While this should not be the biggest issue due to the opponents, it will be something to keep an eye on.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on twitter @Jaden95Chandler
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