Assessing the impact of Jim Harbaugh’s show-cause and Michigan’s notice of allegations
The first of two NCAA decisions against Michigan came down last week. Jim Harbaugh was sentenced to four years in prison for violating recruitment regulations during the COVID-19 break – a sentence imposed on him after leaving his alma mater.
Harbaugh is of course back in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. This means that the show cause and one-year suspension during that time may not affect him since he will not be playing at the college football level.
In fact, according to The Wolverines Clayton SayfieHarbaugh received no significant punishment from the NCAA, and part of it stemmed from his alleged lack of cooperation with the NCAA after he left Michigan following the national title.
“On the surface, it’s a pretty harsh punishment, but considering he won’t be playing college football for the next four years, it’s actually not a big punishment,” Sayfie told On3’s Kaiden Smith To On3 round table“And part of the reason for the lack of cooperation was that he did not release thousands of emails after he had already accepted the job with the Chargers.
“So when he was outside of the NCAA’s jurisdiction, he stopped cooperating in late January. And Tom Mars – his attorney – released some of that correspondence with the NCAA.”
However, this is not the only investigation Michigan is dealing with. There is also the sign-stealing investigation that revolves around the former analyst Connor Stallions.
Accordingly a draft notice of allegations from the NCAA, reported by ESPN, Sherron Moore allegedly deleted texts with Stalions after news of the investigation became known. He handed over the messages and said he “is gladD“ for her release.
Whether Moore could be suspended depends on the seriousness of the allegation, according to Sayfie, but early indications suggest that the conditions for a suspension may not be met.
“As for Sherrone Moore, this message is evident from the leaked draft of the charges – not the final draft – that he deleted text messages with Connor Stalions when it became known that he was the focus of the sign-stealing investigation. Those were ultimately turned over by Sherrone Moore,” Sayfie said. “They were able to find them through his device after they were deleted and no serious allegation arose from that.”
“So I know ESPN has reported on a possible suspension. I mean, that certainly seems possible, but I would bet against it just because there doesn’t seem to be anything in the text messages that really incriminates Sherrone Moore. And Michigan probably knew about it before they hired him as head coach, which is also good news for Michigan fans. And really, nobody knows what the text messages say at this point. They haven’t been released yet. But I think there are indications that it’s really not that serious.”
