Jim Harbaugh: Self-imposed suspension is opportunity for Michigan to 'build leaders'

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh watched the Wolverines' 30-3 win over East Carolina with offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore.

At face value, that doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary — two coaches taking in a game. The kicker for Harbaugh was that he was watching the game on television like the rest of us thanks to his self-imposed three-game suspension.

It was not as if Michigan really needed Harbaugh to beat the Pirates — an AAC opponent — but that's not how Harbaugh viewed the experience for his team. In fact, he viewed it as an opportunity for people in the program to step up and be leaders, from assistant coaches to the players on the field.

“I really loved what I saw out of our team. … Our captains, our senior leadership, our coaches all were phenomenal,” Harbaugh said, per On3. “When we started fall camp, I told the team that Moses had 70 leaders. How many do you think we need? More! We need a lot more. And I think we have that. And it’s building.

“You talk about turning a negative into a positive, I just love the way our team is doing that. It’s a unique opportunity to build leadership, build leaders because they have a chance to make those incredible leadership bonds.”

To be clear, Harbaugh isn't completely away from the team. He can still coach during the week. He just can't be on the sideline for game days. It will be that way until Big Ten play, either coincidentally or by design.

Harbaugh's self-imposed suspension was in response to an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations that allegedly occurred during a COVID-19 dead period. Harbaugh is facing a Level 1 violation from the NCAA for allegedly not cooperating with said investigation. 

Harbaugh could still be suspended more from the NCAA in 2024, but the idea behind the self-imposed suspension is that it would allow the NCAA to take it easier on Harbaugh when its ruling comes out.