Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has adamantly denied any knowledge or involvement in the impermissible-scouting operation that has sparked an NCAA investigation into his former Michigan program. Harbaugh, who led Michigan to a national title last year before joining the Los Angeles Chargers, stated that he was not complicit in the alleged violations and emphasized his commitment to integrity and honesty.
The NCAA investigation centers around accusations of impermissible scouting and sign-stealing, with Harbaugh potentially facing Level 1 violations, the most serious penalties the NCAA can impose on an individual. The investigation implicates Harbaugh and other staff members, including allegations against former recruiting staffer Connor Stalions for running an off-campus scouting scheme to record play signals of Michigan's opponents.
Michigan has yet to receive a formal notice of allegations from the NCAA, but a draft of the notice reportedly includes violations by Harbaugh and other staff members. Harbaugh had previously been suspended twice last season, once at the start of the season for unrelated recruiting violations and later by the Big Ten for violating the conference's sportsmanship policy related to the sign-stealing scheme.
The NCAA's investigative process is ongoing, with schools typically given 90 days to respond to allegations before a hearing in front of the NCAA's committee on infractions. While a negotiated resolution remains a possibility, the sign-stealing case involving Michigan is expected to continue for several months before a final outcome is reached.
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