Michigan
NCAA issues suspension and show-cause penalty to Jim Harbaugh for Michigan recruiting violations
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for a year and given a four-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for recruiting violations.
The penalties announced Wednesday by the NCAA are not related to the Connor Stalions advance scouting scandal that got Harbaugh suspended by the Big Ten for the end of the 2023 regular season when he was still at Michigan.
Rather, the penalties relate to the three-game suspension Harbaugh served at the start of the season for an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead recruiting period.
The Division I infractions committee determined that Harbaugh “violated recruiting and inducement rules, engaged in unethical conduct, failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations.” The panel also raised the violation to a “Level I-Aggravated,” citing Harbaugh’s “intentional disregard for NCAA legislation and unethical conduct.”
Michigan won the national championship at the end of the 2023 season after a 15-0 campaign. Harbaugh missed six of the team’s games but returned for the Big Ten title game and the College Football Playoff.
The three-game suspension Harbaugh served at the start of the year was self-imposed by Michigan after negotiations with the NCAA for a four-game suspension fell apart. The NCAA has long accused Harbaugh of being uncooperative in its recruiting investigation and again said that he had denied meeting with two recruits despite proof that he did.
From the NCAA’s decision:
“During the investigation in this case, Harbaugh denied meeting with the two prospects. Initially, he told Michigan and the enforcement staff that he had no recollection of meeting either prospect or their fathers. In a subsequent interview he went further, unequivocally disputing that either meeting happened. Despite his denials, the weight of the factual information—including statements from the prospects, their fathers, and other football staff members, as well as documentation such as receipts and expense reports — demonstrates that Harbaugh was physically present and engaged in these meetings.
“By denying his conduct, which was plainly supported by the record, Harbaugh violated NCAA ethical conduct legislation and thereby amplified the severity of his case.”
The NCAA made clear in its statement that Harbaugh would be banned from all athletic activities at a college for the next four seasons and would serve a complete one-year suspension in the first season. However, it seems unlikely that Harbaugh will coach at the college level in the near future now that he’s returned to the NFL.
And his lack of cooperation with the NCAA reached a new level after the decision was announced, via a statement from his attorney Tom Mars.
“The way I see it, from Coach Harbaugh’s perspective, today’s COI decision is like being in college and getting a letter from your high school saying you’ve been suspended because you didn’t sign the yearbook,” Mars said.
“If I were in Coach Harbaugh’s shoes and had an $80 million contract as head coach of the Chargers, I wouldn’t pay any attention to the findings of a kangaroo court which claims to represent the principles of the nation’s most flagrant, repeat violator of the federal antitrust laws.”
In its decision, the NCAA outlined that it sent Michigan a notice of allegations regarding the recruiting violations in December of 2023 before Michigan played in the College Football Playoff. Harbaugh left for the Chargers in January, not long after Michigan beat Washington for the national title. Per the NCAA, Harbaugh responded in writing to the notice of allegations in March and said that he had “no intention of appearing at a COI hearing” regarding the accusations.
The infamous cheeseburger
As the investigation into the recruiting violations unfolded, a cheeseburger became the focus and a rallying cry for some Michigan fans. As the negotiations for the four-game suspension broke down in August of 2023, the NCAA said in a statement that the Michigan’s infractions case was “not a cheeseburger” in a direct call to the online burger references.
And its penalty report makes sure to detail the bacon cheeseburger at the center of one of the meetings it says Harbaugh lied about.
The following morning, prospect 2 and his father met the recruiting director and Harbaugh at a local diner. In an interview with the institution and the enforcement staff, prospect 2 stated he and his father had “pretty much a one-on-one breakfast with Coach Harbaugh” where they discussed prospect 2’s future and potentially playing football at Michigan. During the recruiting director’s interview with the institution and enforcement staff, he did not specifically recall prospect 2’s visit, but he did remember being present at a breakfast with Harbaugh and a prospect at the diner during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period. The recruiting director also provided an expense report and a receipt showing he paid for breakfast at the diner on February 28, 2021, and the order included a bacon cheeseburger. This mirrored prospect 2’s and his father’s account of the date and time of the meal and the type of food eaten by Harbaugh. Specifically, prospect 2 recalled that Harbaugh ordered a hamburger for breakfast, which “kind of stood out” to him.
Wednesday’s announcement may not be the only NCAA decision that impacts Michigan football in the coming weeks and months. A report emerged from ESPN over the weekend about a draft notice of allegations relating to Stalions’ scouting scheme. The draft reportedly mentions new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore and Moore could be directly punished as part of the investigation.
Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.
The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.
In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.
The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.
The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.
Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:
- Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
- Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
- Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
- Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
- Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
- Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
- Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
- The Global Institute Of Lansing
- Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
- Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
- Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
- Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
- Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
- Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
- Southgate Community Schools in Southgate
Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.
The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:
- Allendale Public Schools
- Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
- Cedar Springs Public Library
- Clinton Community Schools
- Coloma Public Library
- Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
- North Dickinson County School in Felch
- Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
- Hillman Community Schools
- Ida Public Schools
- Lawton Public Library
- Luther Area Public Library
- Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
- Sebewaing Township Library
- Tekonsha Community Schools
- Columbia Township Library in Unionville
- Wakefield Public Library
- Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.
The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.
Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.
A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.
“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
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