Despite NCAA sanctions, Michigan honors Jim Harbaugh at 2024 home opener

Michigan is undeterred by the sanctions the NCAA imposed on Jim Harbaugh this week.

Athletic director Warde Manuel said on the “1 Star Recruits” podcast this week that Harbaugh will be an honorary captain at the school’s home game against Fresno State. Harbaugh is being officially honored by Michigan less than a month after the NCAA sentenced him to one year and a four-year show-cause penalty for failing to cooperate with an investigation into recruiting violations.

From MLive:

The penalties are irrelevant right now, of course. Harbaugh is the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. He took the job in January after leading Michigan to a 15-0 season and a national championship title. It was the Wolverines’ first title in the College Football Playoff or BCS era and the school’s first since a shared national title in 1997.

The success of the season is obviously why Michigan wants Harbaugh back. And he has this weekend off, as the NFL season begins a week after the college football season. It will also be the first home game Harbaugh has played in in two seasons. He was unable to play in last season’s home game because Michigan imposed a self-imposed three-game suspension as part of its recruiting investigation.

The NCAA ruled that Harbaugh lied to investigators when he reported meetings with recruits during the COVID-19 pause. The governing body and Michigan worked to agree to a four-game suspension for Harbaugh to begin the 2023 season as part of that investigation, but the deal fell through before Michigan self-imposed the three-game suspension. Harbaugh was then suspended by the Big Ten for the final three games of the regular season over the Connor Stalions pre-scouting scandal.

The Aug. 31 game is scheduled to be the first for Sherrone Moore as Michigan’s permanent head coach. He served as interim coach at various points during Harbaugh’s suspensions in 2023 and was promoted from offensive coordinator after Harbaugh’s departure to the Chargers.

Moore could also be suspended by the NCAA at some point. According to a draft NCAA charge sheet obtained by ESPN, Moore could be punished by the governing body as part of sanctions for the Stalions scandal.