The Michigan football program will start the post-Jim Harbaugh era under the microscope of the NCAA. The NCAA is taking aim at the former national champions after recruiting and coaching violations surfaced during a COVID-19 dead period. On Tuesday, the NCAA released a statement, handing the Wolverines a three-year probation, a fine, and recruiting restrictions.
The NCAA, in an attempt to crack down on the unprecedented time surrounding the transfer portal, handed Michigan penalties for recruiting and coaching violations. Other nationwide programs should notice the NCAA’s action, especially with the transfer portal’s spring window officially opening this week.
Michigan Football: Serving Three-Year Probation
Unrelated to the sign-stealing scandal of 2023 that saw head coach Jim Harbaugh serve a regular season suspension, the NCAA handed the Michigan Wolverines a three-year probation sentence on Tuesday. The NCAA released a statement, saying the violations involved “impermissible in-person recruiting contacts during a COVID-19 dead period, impermissible tryouts, and the program exceeding the number of allowed countable coaches when noncoaching staff members engaged in on-and off-field coaching activities (including providing technical and tactical skills instruction to student-athletes).”
Michigan's COVID recruiting violation penalties are out from the NCAA:
– Three years probation
– Fine
– Recruiting restrictions
– One-year show-cause for five individualsOne former coach did not participate in the agreement, that portion of the case will be separate.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 16, 2024
The NCAA continued, saying that Harbaugh failed to “meet his responsibility to cooperate with the investigation.” Michigan will not receive a postseason ban, but under the three-year probation, the NCAA will continuously observe them for any more violations. A violation during that span could result in a harsher penalty, including loss of scholarships and a bowl ban.
Michigan Football: Looking at Return to College Football Playoff
The Michigan Wolverines are fresh off an undefeated, national championship-winning season. They went 15-0, beating juggernaut Alabama in the College Football Playoff semi-finals before quickly taking down the Washington Huskies in the national title. However, they have a new look next season, especially with former head coach Jim Harbaugh darting for the NFL and the Los Angeles Chargers. Sherrone Moore will take over the reins as the 21st head coach in program history. Moore served as the offensive coordinator last season.
Meanwhile, they must replace their star backfield of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum. Fellow rusher Donovan Edwards will take the bulk of the rushes next season. He tallied 497 rushing yards and five scores across 15 games in 2023. Edwards also rushed for 104 yards in the title game. McCarthy’s replacement could be dual-threat passer Alex Orji. He has attempted just one pass during his two seasons at Michigan but carried the ball 15 times for 86 yards and a score last season.
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