Jim Harbaugh will not be the head coach at the University of Michigan when the NCAA comes to a decision on how to handle any potential wrongdoings by the football program. He accepted the same job with the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, his departure to the NFL does not guarantee that the 60-year-old will avoid a punishment.
As things currently stand, the Wolverines are under investigation for two separate incidents. The first relates to the three-game suspension that Harbaugh served to begin the 2023 college football season. The second relates to the three-game suspension that he served to end the 2023 college football season.
Harbaugh was caught lying about (very minor and insignificant) recruiting violations that occurred during a visit during the pandemic-related dead period in 2020. Michigan self-imposed the initial penalty to get out ahead of the NCAA. Nothing has been officially issued by the governing body.
And then the whole sign-stealing thing went down. The Wolverines have yet to receive a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA as an investigation into Connor Stalions’ operation continues.
Both examinations of the program could result in sanctions. Part of that eventual ruling could involve Jim Harbaugh.
Jim Harbaugh might not escape!
Although Harbaugh will be in Los Angeles whenever the NCAA comes to its decision, his departure to the National Football League may not grant him impunity. History shows that he could still get hit with some kind of suspension on the professional level for his actions on the collegiate level.
NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport said back in October that the NFL is “unlikely to make itself a safe harbor for Harbaugh to escape what could be substantial NCAA discipline.” There is not a bylaw to govern the matter but there is a precedent!
Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrell Pryor are the example.
Pryor was suspended five games by the NCAA for trading memorabilia for money and tattoos in 2011. Roger Goodell ruled that the five-game suspension would also apply to his first season in the NFL after he declared for the Supplemental Draft.
Tressel was forced to resign in wake of the scandal and was later hired to an assistant role with the Colts. Indianapolis got out ahead of the league and issued a suspension of its own.
Both Tressel and Pryor served suspensions in NFL for things that happened in Columbus. That could happen with the now-former head coach of their biggest rival.
However, the NFL coaches union would certainly fight against any potential penalties. Especially after Pete Carroll was not punished while with the Seahawks for what happened at USC.
Harbaugh may still receive a suspension from the NCAA for things that happened in Ann Arbor. Goodell would have to decide whether to enforce a suspension!