Jim Harbaugh is no longer coaching college football.
After winning a national title at Michigan last season, the legendary head coach fled for Southern California to coach the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL.
Now, it appears that game might have been the last time we see Harbaugh coach college football.
The NCAA suspended Harbaugh for one year on Wednesday and gave him a four-year show-cause penalty for recruiting violations. The suspension was unrelated to the Connor Stalions filming controversy, which is a separate investigation by the NCAA.
This violation stems from the three-game suspension Harbaugh served at the beginning of the 2023 season due to recruiting violations during COVID-19 restrictions. The three-game suspension was self-imposed by Michigan.
The Division I infractions committee determined that Harbaugh "violated recruiting and inducement rules, engaged in unethical conduct, failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations."
According to the NCAA report, Harbaugh had denied meeting with two recruits during a COVID-restricted recruiting dead period. The NCAA believed, due to its burden of proof, that Harbaugh had lied to investigators.
"Despite his denials, the weight of the factual information — including statements from the prospects, their fathers, and other football staff members, as well as documentation such as receipts and expense reports — demonstrates that Harbaugh was physically present and engaged in these meetings," the NCAA report read.
"By denying his conduct, which was plainly supported by the record, Harbaugh violated NCAA ethical conduct legislation and thereby amplified the severity of his case."
Michigan enters the 2024 season with +3000 to win the national title at DraftKings. Harbaugh's new team, the Chargers, are +4500 to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings.
