After it appeared that Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA were working towards an agreement that would see the Michigan head coach suspended for the first four games of the season, it now looks like Harbaugh will be safe, at least for 2023.
Over the weekend, it was reported by multiple sources that the NCAA Committee of Infractions denied the deal that the NCAA and Harbaugh agreed upon this weekend. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo was the first to report the development.
Had the deal been accepted, Harbaugh would not have been available to coach in the Wolverine’s first four games this season against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green, and Rutgers. With the additions of Oregon and Washington, Michigan’s entire 2024 schedule is still unknown. However, it is known that, at the very least, they will have to face the Texas Longhorns in week two in 2024. Their non-conference schedule next season also includes Fresno State and Arkansas State.
With the additions of Oregon and Washington, the Big Ten will have to redo their 2024 schedules, so if Harbaugh were to face a suspension in 2024, it is entirely unclear what the Wolverines’ schedule would look like outside their non-conference schedule.
Michigan is coming off a perfect 13-0 regular season with a Big Ten championship for the second straight year. The Wolverines would also make the College Football Playoff for the second straight season before falling to the TCU Horned Frogs in the Fiest Bowl 51-45. They’ll kick off their pursuit of a national championship on September 2 against the East Carolina Pirates.