Chargers' HC Jim Harbaugh denies Michigan violations with vehement non-apology

At the end of a rather short media availability session on Monday, LA Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was asked about the reported NCAA violations that currently envelop the University of Michigan football program.

A leaked NOA draft excerpt obtained by ESPN found new HC Sherrone Moore and others in the Michigan program liable in the programs' sign-stealing scandal. Harbaugh issued a brief, tense statement:

"Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson," Harbaugh said. "I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams I've coached. No one's 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 for me, it's back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."

The NCAA opened an investigation into Michigan's sign-stealing scandal centered around former staffer Conor Stalions. Harbaugh served a three-game suspension toward the end of the 2023 regular season stemming from charges levied against him by the Big Ten. However, the NCAA is still in the process of its investigation on the matter which is expected to lead to findings of violations.

Harbaugh left the podium after that question as the media availability continued with Joe Alt and Bud Dupree.

After returning from his suspension, Harbaugh went on to win the Big Ten Championship and two games in the College Football Playoff, including the National Championship.

Weeks later, he would leave the program and opt to join the Chargers after an in-person interview. He was then replaced by the aforementioned Moore, who is now seemingly at the center of the NCAA's focus for these violations.

With Harbaugh now outside of the NCAA's purview, it's unlikely that he'd face some sort of punishment from the NFL. Ian Rapoport and others had previously reported that factor potentially being a roadblock to a return to the league at one point, but Harbaugh still decided to come to the Chargers anyway.

It will probably take months to sort out potential suspensions for Michigan's football program. But for the time being, it doesn't sound like Harbaugh will face much scrutiny from the NFL's league office.

Still, it could prove to be an important story if more intel on Harbaugh is revealed to be in the NCAA's final draft of the allegations. Considering the nature of the leak happening already, that final draft could be published relatively soon.

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