ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ — On the streets of Ann Arbor, reaction is mostly what you’d expect as fans learn the NCAA came down hard on former Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh, banning him from coaching on a college football sideline for the next four years.
“I think the NCAA has it out for Jim Harbaugh a little bit,” Tom Pokorney of Ann Arbor said.
“I thought it was honestly stupid,” Fisher Johnson said. “He’s gone from the NCAA.”
Harbaugh left Michigan after last season for a job with the LA Chargers in the NFL, but the punishment comes from recruiting violations, which according to the NCAA, turned into a Level 1-Aggravated violation during the investigation because of Harbaugh’s “unethical conduct and failure to cooperate.”
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VIDEO:NCAA hands former Michigan coach Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order
NCAA hands former Michigan coach Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order
Steve Culp is an assistant coach at the high school level, who has also coached players being recruited in the past.
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“The head coach has to know every rule. The head coach is responsible for everything in the program,” said Culp, who also acknowledged the rules can change and be complicated. “The rules change more than I can keep count. You would have to study it. For a parent or prospective student athlete, you would have to dive into the rules.”
Harbaugh’s violations stem from the COVID-19 dead period, but the punishment comes down on the cusp of a national title.
“I don’t think it’s going to get revoked, but it does put a pretty big stain on it,” Johnson said. “They did play good football. That’s all that matters to me.”
RELATED VIDEO: Jim Harbaugh: ‘I do not apologize;’ Coach again denies knowing about Michigan sign-stealing scheme
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Jim Harbaugh: ‘I do not apologize;’ Coach again denies knowing about Michigan sign-stealing scheme
How Michigan students feel about that depends on perspective.
“They won last year because of the recruiting violations? OK, OK,” graduate student Jocelyn May said poking fun at Michigan. “Yeah, I went to Ohio State undergrad.”
“I’m sure what’s coming to them will eventually come. I think we’re all sitting here waiting for the final hammer to fall or not fall,” said Culp, who’s also an MSU alum and Spartan fan. “But I try to just worry about Michigan State and our kids and how we’re doing.”
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While Harbaugh’s suspension lasts through 2028, he’s under contract with the Chargers also until 2028.
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
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Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
Paula Wethington is a digital producer at CBS Detroit. She previously held digital content roles at NEWSnet, Gannett/USA Today network and The Monroe News in Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
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A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.
Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.
When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.
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Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.
The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.
“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.
The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
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State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.
