After a week of legal maneuvering and an attempt to get him back on the field ahead of Saturday’s game against
Maryland, No. 3 Michigan accepted Jim Harbaugh’s three-game ban.
The Wolverines accepted the Big Ten punishment when more information regarding booster involvement in Connor
Stallion’s sign-stealing operation became public.
The acceptance of the three-game penalty means that the Big Ten’s investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing
charges is concluded, and the Wolverines will face no further punishment from the conference. The NCAA will issue
any additional punishment for in-person scouting infractions once its investigation is completed.
On Saturday’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” college football analyst Bruce Feldman discussed Harbaugh’s future with the
program and speculated on potential NCAA fines. According to one source who spoke with the college football
reporter, it “would not be surprising” if Harbaugh received a big ban in 2024.
“What happens next will be intriguing. He still faces an NCAA investigation for recruiting infractions during the
COVID dead period,” Feldman said. “Now they have this Connor Stallion signal-stealing issue to contend with. It
would not be unexpected if Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the most of the 2024 season.
Harbaugh already served a three-game self-imposed ban to begin the season due to NCAA recruiting infractions, but
he and Michigan are still facing more penalties from the NCAA, which has two continuing investigations into the
program.
Feldman also claimed that Harbaugh may reconsider joining the NFL in the aftermath of the investigations. He has
been linked to available positions with the Vikings and Broncos in recent offseasons.
“Additionally, Jim Harbaugh was a highly successful NFL head coach. Don’t be surprised if someone else approaches
him and he says, ‘The moment is right, maybe I’ve had to make the move.'”
