Could NCAA investigation steer Jim Harbaugh back to NFL?
Jim Harbaugh's rocky relationship with the NCAA hit another bump on Thursday when it was revealed Michigan is under investigation for alleged scouting violations.
Could the allegations of sign-stealing against the Wolverines be the impetus Harbaugh needs to return to the NFL?
On Thursday, Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported the NCAA is investigating Michigan for using in-person scouts to allegedly steal signs of future opponents.
"Teams are normally provided extensive video footage to scout opponents," the duo wrote. "At issue, according to sources, is whether Michigan used unnamed individuals to attend games of both scheduled opponents and possible College Football Playoff opponents in an effort to gather information on the signs they use to call both offensive and defensive plays."
The NCAA prohibits in-person advance scouting of opponents.
"Whether the NCAA believes Michigan was using staffers or others who may be loyal to the program is unknown," wrote Dellenger and Wetzel. "So, too, is whether information was detailed via video, or some other means or if head coach Jim Harbaugh was involved."
This isn't the first time this year Harbaugh has found himself in the NCAA's crosshairs.
At the start of this season, he served a school-imposed three-game suspension after an NCAA investigation into recruiting and practice violations. The violations included observing practices "via an unauthorized video feed" and impermissible contact with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period, when Harbaugh bought hamburgers for recruits.
The NCAA also looked into Harbaugh for a Level I infraction after he allegedly misled its investigators.
"Two of Michigan's opponents this season told Yahoo Sports they became aware that Michigan knew their play signs," Dellenger and Wentzel reported.
During halftime of Michigan’s game against Rutgers earlier this season, head coach Greg Schiano said, “There’s some things going on that aren’t right.” That's eyebrow-raising now that we know the NCAA is investigating the Wolverines.
If proven true, the alleged sign-stealing scheme could, at the very least, get Harbaugh in hot water with his university administration.
Could the watchful eye of the NCAA lead to Harbaugh wanting to return to the NFL? These investigations likely aren't Harbaugh's idea of fun. Talk of him returning to the league — where he coached the 49ers to a 49-22-1 record from 2011-14 — popped up following last season. In 2022, he interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings head-coaching position before Kevin O'Connell landed the job.
Michigan (7-0), ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press, plays Saturday at Michigan State (2-4), which is winless in conference play. The Wolverines have a bye next week and are eyeing an undefeated season — if they can handle a trip to Happy Valley to play No. 7 Penn State on Nov. 11 and beat No. 3 Ohio State at home on Nov. 25 — and possibly a national title.
With this cloud hanging over Michigan, critics naturally will question the legitimacy of the team's success. As slowly as the NCAA moves, this could drag on longer than anyone wants, sucking the attention away from the team.
By the time it is resolved, could Harbaugh be back in the NFL?
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