Michigan University announced on Monday that it has self-imposed a three-game suspension for football coach Jim Harbaugh beginning with the 2023 season, stemming from alleged violations during the COVID-19 dead period.

Athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement: “While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, today’s announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process  We will continue to support coach Harbaugh, his staff, and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA’s guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved.”  Harbaugh said in a statement through the school: “I will continue to do what I always tell our players and my kids at home. Don’t get bitter, get better.’” Michigan said an announcement on an interim coach for the three games will be made at a later date.

Harbaugh will be allowed to coach during the week but will be barred from coaching those first three Saturday games.  Harbaugh will miss home games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green before making his return to the sideline for Michigan’s Big Ten opener Sept. 23 against Rutgers.

The potential ruling from the NCAA likely won’t come until 2024. Harbaugh faces a Level I violation, which would be for not cooperating with or misleading NCAA investigators about the alleged violations. Sources say that Michigan’s decision to self-impose the three-game suspension of Harbaugh is indicative of the severity of the eventual potential ruling against Harbaugh.  Sources told ESPN in January that Harbaugh could face a suspension of three to six games for a Level I violation. Michigan also faces four less-serious Level II violations.

Editorial credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com