BREAKING: Michigan Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh Presented with New NCAA Allegations Notice; 2nd NCAA Investigation this Year

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines were given an allegations notice from the NCAA that will investigate potential recruiting violations that occurred during the COVID recruiting dead period, two university officials told ESPN.

According to an ABC News piece, Harbaugh is accused of lying to NCAA investigators or failing to fully comply with them in addition to the initial accusations notice. Derrick Crawford, vice president of hearing operations at the NCAA, addressed the denial of these claims in the same article.

According to Derrick Crawford, the vice president of hearing operations at the NCAA, “the Michigan infractions case is related to impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger,” referring to the oversimplified description of the infractions in some media reports.

“It is not uncommon for the [committee on infractions] to seek clarification on key facts prior to accepting. The

If COI concludes that the agreement is not in the Association’s best interests or that the sanctions are not appropriate, it may also reject an NR [negotiated resolution]. Although the committee thinks collaboration is the ideal way to swiftly address difficulties, a matter may move to a hearing if the participating parties are unable to resolve it through the negotiated resolution procedure.

The downplaying of the claims is referenced in the cheeseburger comment. Many Michigan supporters have termed it “Burgergate.”

After receiving a draft of the future notice in January, self-imposed punishments were used to attempt to soften the blow of the proverbial NCAA hammer. A three-game suspension and a one-game suspension were given by Michigan to Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Sherron Moore, respectively. The suspensions were served at the beginning of the season.

Michigan agreed to some of the Level II allegations that included things like texting during the dead period, and allowing someone in an analyst position to help with on-field coaching. Despite agreeing to some of the weaker

claims, the institution is certain that Harbaugh did not fabricate anything or mislead detectives.

Michigan agreed to a four-game negotiated settlement, but the NCAA Infractions Committee turned it down. The self-imposed three-game ban can still be accepted by the NCAA as a suitable penalty, even though there is still a legal process to go through.

The accusations won’t need to be addressed by Michigan until the end of the season. They have 90 days to reply, although this process can drag into the summer due to the NCAA’s subsequent 60-day response deadline.