As rumors of Jim Harbaugh's NFL future swirl, Michigan is looking to cap a chaotic season with its first national championship in more than 25 years.
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Michigan's last dance? After wild season, Wolverines can go out on top
If Harbaugh stays, he could be facing further suspensions. In late December, ESPN reported that Harbaugh faces a Level I violation for allegedly not cooperating with or misleading NCAA investigators about the alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period. Michigan also faces four Level II violations, which are considered less serious.
Michigan is also in the midst of a second NCAA investigation for the prohibited off-campus scouting and signal-stealing allegedly led by former staff member Connor Stalions, who resigned Nov. 4. Although Michigan has not received a notice of allegations in that case, the Big Ten imposed a three-game suspension for Harbaugh under its sportsmanship policy, which the coach served for the final three regular-season games. Harbaugh could be charged as a repeat violator under head-coach responsibility, also a Level I charge.
The administration has made it clear, though, it wants him to return.
"I am celebrating the great success of the program, the great opportunity that Jim and this team has on Monday night," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel told ESPN. "We are working through everything else, including retaining Jim as our coach. We are all aligned on our goals."
Michigan defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale conceded some parents have asked about the future of the program while he's on the recruiting trail, but said he's completely transparent with them about not knowing the future or Harbaugh's intentions.
"We don't know what's going to happen," Clinkscale said. "I'm just honest with them. We don't know. I believe the way our organization is designed that we'll be fine, whatever the outcome may be. I tell parents all the time, my son is coming to play there. He's going to be a walk-on. This is a great opportunity for him. But if I wasn't here tomorrow, I would want my son to be around men at Michigan. You know, the organization, the AD, the president, everybody. Athletically, academically, they do a great job of developing young men and young people. It's still an opportunity whether Coach is there or not."
Just sayin': The NCAA investigation is effecting scUM's recruiting......
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