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What Does NCAA Show-Cause Penalty Mean For Jim Harbaugh's Future?

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 12:10 PM ET

On Friday, the NCAA finally dropped the hammer on Michigan for its sign-stealing scheme from the 2023 season. Unsurprisingly, former head coach Jim Harbaugh was penalized for his role in all of this.

For starters, Michigan is expected to pay a fine that'll exceed $20 million. Head coach Sherrone Moore, meanwhile, will receive a one-game suspension for the 2026 season. This is in addition to the self-imposed suspension he'll serve this fall. The ruling from the Committee on Infractions also issued show-cause orders for several former staff members, including Connor Stalions and Denard Robinson.

According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the Committee on Infractions has served Harbaugh a show-cause of 10 years. While that may sound bad, it shouldn't scare the veteran coach at all.

What is a show-cause order?

If a college football team wanted to hire Harbaugh in the next 10 years, they'd have to get the NCAA's approval in order to make the move official. They would need to prove why they shouldn't be disciplined for hiring the former Michigan man.

Harbaugh won't have to worry about receiving approval from the Committee on Infractions anytime soon. He's about to enter the second year of his five-year, $80 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

While there's no question Harbaugh enjoyed his time at Michigan, he has already accomplished everything he wanted to at the collegiate level. All that's left on his bucket list is winning a Super Bowl.

"I only have so many sands left in the hourglass and I want another shot," Harbaugh said. "I want another shot to be simply known as World Champions. The Lombardi Trophy, that's my mission."

Harbaugh went 11-6 during his first season with the Chargers. If his squad stays relatively healthy, it wouldn't shock us to see him back in the playoffs.

As for Michigan, it can now face its penalties and move on from the Harbaugh era.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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