College Football

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh reportedly facing 4-game suspension to start season

Updated Jul. 25, 2023 2:25 p.m. ET

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will likely be suspended for the first four games of the 2023 college football season as part of a negotiated punishment with the NCAA for making false statements to investigators, according to multiple reports. Yahoo Sports was the first to report the news.

Michigan recently submitted a negotiated resolution to the NCAA in a case that has been in the works for about two years. The NCAA's committee on infractions must approve the resolution, a process that typically takes about 30 days.

"We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. "At this time, we cannot comment further on any aspect of the matter."

Michigan opens the 2023 season with four home games, the first three against non-Power 5 schools — East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green — before starting its Big Ten conference slate against Rutgers.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Michigan assistants Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome are facing one-game suspensions. Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who now holds the same role under Harbaugh's brother John Harbaugh with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, is also reportedly expected to be sanctioned.

Michigan received notice earlier this year that the NCAA was looking into potential rules infractions in the Harbaugh-led program. The investigation involved 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. The NCAA also was looking at whether a member of Michigan’s off-field football staff violated rules by doing on-the-field coaching during practice.

Harbaugh previously told NCAA investigators in multiple meetings that he would not agree to an unethical conduct charge, according to two people familiar with the situation. The people spoke earlier this year to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been shared.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.