Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh could be facing severe discipline from the NCAA in regard to the sign-stealing scandal surrounding the Wolverines program, per a report by college football insider Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.
Harbaugh, who is in midst of a three-game suspension by the Big Ten due to the scandal, could be suspended “for the bulk of the 2024 season,” Feldman said Saturday morning.
“It would not be surprising if Jim Harbaugh could be suspended for the bulk of the 2024 season, I’m told,” Feldman said during Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show.
Earlier this week, the school accepted the Big Ten's punishment, but the saga doesn’t end there for the Wolverines coach. He still could face NCAA punishment for the sign-stealing scheme and also faces potential discipline for alleged recruiting violations from the 2020 dead period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Going forward it is going to be interesting. He still has an NCAA investigation from recruiting violations from the 2020 COVID dead period that the NCAA is still after him about,” added Feldman.
"It would not be surprising if Jim Harbaugh could be suspended for the bulk of the 2024 season, I'm told." @BruceFeldmanCFB breaks down the Harbaugh suspension and his future at Michigan ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7b1A8t7UIf
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 18, 2023
The current three-game suspension, which permits Harbaugh to coach the team during the week but not during games, ends after the regular-season showdown against Ohio State next week.
Feldman suggests that the potential of additional punishment by the NCAA could increase his chances of returning to the NFL.
Prior to joining Michigan, Harbaugh posted a 49-22-1 record in four seasons at the helm of the 49ers.
No. 3 Michigan is 10–0 and 7–0 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines play Saturday at Maryland, with the Nov. 25 showdown against No. 2 Ohio State looming.
