How does NCAA sanction affect Jim Harbaugh? A look at the Chargers' HC situation amid impending Michigan sign-stealing punishment

Jim Harbaugh is set to face NCAA sanction after being accused of a level 1 violation, the most serious category in the governing body’s enforcement process. The coach is among seven members of the Michigan team of 2023 set to be punished for the sign-stealing allegation.

Harbaugh is accused of non-cooperation for refusing the NCAA's request to access relevant messages and phone records from his cellphone. A notice of allegation obtained by ESPN, which could be subject to changes, suggests he could face a "show-cause" restriction if he decides to return to collegiate athletics.

While NCAA sanctions cannot affect Jim Harbaugh in his job with the LA Chargers, a return to college football will become very tough if the NCAA confirms the show-cause penalty. The penalty will mean getting blackballed by the NCAA, so any school that hires him will face sanctions.

Basically, Jim Harbaugh is now expected to have a long stay or probably end his career in the NFL. Getting a college football job even after the show-cause penalty expires might be difficult, as a lot of coaches who served the penalty never got another college sports job.

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Jim Harbaugh denies any wrongdoing

Following the news that broke out on Sunday, Jim Harbaugh responded by denying any wrongdoing in the Michigan sign-stealing allegation. The coach refused to apologize, noting he never engaged nor had knowledge of the operation while he was with the program.

“Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson," Harbaugh said at a brief news conference on Monday. "I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I have coached.

“No one is perfect. If you stumble, you apologize, and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations. So, it's back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

It goes in line with his claims after the allegations were made public during the previous college football season. The coach maintained in a statement in November 2023 that he never ordered anybody to conduct in-person scouting of future opponents.

Six members of his staff at Michigan during the 2023 college football season have also been accused of violations, in the draft obtained by ESPN. These include his successor in Ann Arbor, Sherrone Moore and Jesse Minter, the current defensive coordinator at the Chargers.