Michigan sees potential negotiated resolution reportedly break down with NCAA

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan hit a snag this week with a potential negotiated resolution.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported that the resolution broke down this week after the NCAA demanded head coach Jim Harbaugh state that he lied to investigators.

According to sources, Harbaugh has acknowledged his program committed 4 Level II violations, as the NCAA initially alleged. He has further apologized to the university that they occurred. However, he has refused to sign any document or publicly state that he was ever untruthful with the enforcement staff.

Harbaugh maintained he didn’t recall the events when first speaking with investigators but that he was never purposefully dishonest.

During 2 meetings this week, Wetzel said, the NCAA and Harbaugh held firm and refused to back down from their positions. The NCAA said the coach lied. The coach said he merely forgot otherwise insignificant actions. An impasse resulted.

At issue in the NCAA investigation are impermissible texts and calls — including some by Harbaugh — to high school prospects during part of a pandemic-related dead period for contact with potential recruits. There’s also an issue of  whether a member of Michigan’s off-field football staff violated rules by doing on-the-field coaching during practice and whether Harbaugh was forthcoming about it. Coaches also reportedly watched players work out via Zoom.

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.