Jim Harbaugh's alleged violations include lying during investigation as Michigan receives new NCAA notice over potential infractions: Report

Jim Harbaugh's alleged violations continue to distract a Michigan Wolverines program in the middle of preparation for this year's CFP semifinal on Jan. 1.

According to the Detroit News, Michigan received a Notice of Allegations (NOA) from the NCAA relating to its investigation of the Michigan coach regarding violations of recruiting policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report states that the NCAA alleges that the coach wasn't truthful during his interactions with officials throughout the investigation.

The coach has denied any such violations took place.

This puts Harbaugh in peril of further sanctions from the college athletics ruling body. Michigan officials self-imposed a three-game ban on the coach at the start of the season. This was done even though the ruling body rejected a proposal by the school to ban him for four games. Harbaugh's violations led to him missing half of the regular season, including a later Big Ten ban related to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal.

The coach is accused of meeting with prospects through the pandemic, and of using other prohibited methods of communication as part of Michigan's recruitment process. He's further accused of lying about it, which is a Level 1 violation.

Jim Harbaugh's alleged violations and the CFP

Luckily for the Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh, there wasn't much talk of the alleged violations or the Connor Stalions case before selection Sunday. That was possibly because public opinion was focused on the Florida State vs. Alabama debate.

However, the threat of a Level 1 violation dangles like a Damocles sword above the heads of everyone in Michigan. It wouldn't be the first time that a program retroactively gets stripped of a national title, as the USC Trojans can attest.

Furthermore, the rumors of Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL could be partly fueled by the fear of reprisals by the NCAA if he stays in college football.