Jim Harbaugh's Lawyer Responds To NCAA's Penalty Announcement

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 09: Jim Harbaugh speaks onstage during Verizon’s press conference at Verizon Live at Super Bowl LVIII on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Verizon) Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Jim Harbaugh’s lawyer has responded to the NCAA’s announcement regarding punishments levied against his client’s former program.

On Tuesday, the NCAA announced that Michigan and five individuals who currently or used to coach for them have agreed upon penalties for a number of violations, including impermissible recruiting contact during COVD-19 and “the program exceeding the number of allowed countable coaches when noncoaching staff members engaged in on- and off-field coaching activities.”

The five coaches will each receive one-year show causes, while Michigan was assessed three years probation, a fine and some recruiting restrictions.

Tom Mars, Harbaugh’s attorney, released a statement on the matter, which Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News shared.

“Coach Harbaugh filed a lengthy response to the NOA, which unfortunately has not been made public,” Mars said. “I see that Michigan changed its position to get this resolved, which is not surprising. I can almost hear the wheels of the bus going ‘whomp, whomp.’”

Harbaugh spent nine seasons as Michigan’s head coach, leaving in January to return to the NFL, where he’ll lead the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a national championship in his final campaign with the Wolverines.

The NCAA has not issued an official conclusion to its investigation into former Michigan support staffer Connor Stalions and allegations of sign-stealing by the program.