In recent weeks it appeared that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA had agreed on a four-game suspension per reports.
That changed when reports surfaced that the NCAA had thrown out the decision and it would come at a later date.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Harbaugh’s suspension will be for the first three games of the season. He will miss Michigan’s games against East Carolina on Sept. 2, UNLV on Sept. 9, and Bowling Green on Sept. 16. Harbaugh would return to the sideline just in time to open Big Ten play against Rutgers on Sept. 23 in Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh informed the team before practice Monday morning that he will serve the three-game suspension.
While the saga has seemingly taken its final twist as for how it will affect the 2023 season, the story is far from over. The Wolverines were served a notice of allegations and the NCAA had reportedly agreed to a four-game suspension one month ago, but the deal fell apart in the final hours in early August.
Harbaugh and Michigan had committed multiple Level I and Level II violations, including the former misleading investigators. The suspension is a self-imposed one handed down by the University of Michigan. This is likely to help its case with the impending punishment from the NCAA.
We will continue to monitor the situation.