Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, could face further consequences as a result of the Michigan sign-stealing controversy. Harbaugh had a three-game suspension last season.
At the time, the Big Ten and NCAA did not find that Harbaugh was aware of Connor Stallion’s involvement in sign theft against the opposition team. The NCAA is still investigating the incident. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Sunday about an update on the inquiry. Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s new head coach, faces a possible punishment after reportedly deleting over 50 text exchanges between himself and the Stallion.
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh might face punishment once more.
Per Thamel, Harbaugh could face a “show-cause” restriction if he returns to coach college football because he allegedly didn’t cooperate with the investigation:
is accused of not cooperating because he denied the NCAA’s request to view relevant messages and phone records from his personal cellphone. The draft says Harbaugh could face a “show-cause” restriction if he ever opts to return to college sports.
Any sanctions the NCAA may impose on Harbaugh for the sign-stealing incident would be applicable if he was employed by a college. This is known as a “show-cause” limitation. The NCAA has the last say over how to punish violations of Level 1. They select a penalty appropriate to the offense.
A personal suspension or a team suspension following the season are both possible penalties. It was the ideal time for Harbaugh to leave Michigan. Before receiving a punishment that would change the program at his alma mater, he won a title and accepted a high-paying NFL position.
Could Harbaugh be suspended by the NFL?
Before the NCAA could compile enough evidence to justify the NFL punishing Harbaugh, as it did Jim Tressel in 2011, by suspending the former Ohio State coach for six games, Harbaugh also left for the Chargers. (Had Tressel continued through the 2011 season, he would have faced a five-game suspension at Ohio State.)
One has to wonder if Harbaugh, should he be found guilty of a Level 1 violation, would face punishment from the league or be suspended. The conference has a history for doing this because of Ohio State.