NCAA ‘dismisses four-game suspension for Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh as violations committee calls for hearing on recruiting allegations’

The four-game NCAA suspension for recruiting violations reported by University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is in jeopardy as the proposed resolution continues to be scrutinized.

The school recently submitted a negotiated settlement to the NCAA in a two-year-old case regarding unauthorized contact with recruits during the pandemic. But after recent reports that Harbaugh could receive a four-game suspension next season, the NCAA Committee on Infractions is now calling for a hearing, which could postpone any punishment for the Wolverines coach and former quarterback.

“It is not uncommon for the (Committee on Infractions) to seek clarification of important facts before accepting them,” Derrick Crawford, NCAA vice president of hearing surgery, said in a statement to the AP. “The COI may also reject a (negotiated resolution) if it determines that the agreement is not in the interest of the Association or that the fines are not reasonable.”

Michigan received notice earlier this year that the NCAA was investigating potential rule violations.

The investigation involved unauthorized texts and phone calls — including some from Harbaugh — to high school students during part of a pandemic-related dead window for contact with potential recruits.

The NCAA also investigated whether a member of Michigan’s off-field football staff violated rules by coaching on the field during practice.

Harbaugh previously told NCAA investigators in multiple meetings that he would not agree to an unethical conduct charge because he was not forthright, according to two people familiar with the situation. The people spoke to the AP earlier this year on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were not shared.

Michigan spokesman Kurt Svoboda said in a text message to the AP that the school could not comment on an open NCAA case.

Michigan opens with four straight home games, starting September 2 against East Carolina. The Wolverines then face UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers.

Harbaugh, 59, is entering his ninth season of coaching at his alma mater. He is 74-25 with the Wolverines and has beaten arch-rival Ohio State for the past two seasons.

Harbaugh, 59, is entering his ninth season of coaching at his alma mater. Harbaugh, who coached the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons before taking over at Michigan, has flirted with a return to the NFL for the past two seasons before deciding to stay in Ann Arbor.

The unresolved NCAA issues have delayed Michigan from finalizing a long-awaited new contract for Harbaugh, the person who spoke with the AP on Tuesday said.

Harbaugh is 74-25 at Michigan, and has beaten arch-rival Ohio State each of the last two seasons after beginning his tenure with five consecutive losses to the Buckeyes.