Many believe head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan football program may return to the NFL in the upcoming offseason because of the scandal that has dogged the program for the past year.
In the most recent dispute, Michigan is accused of putting together a complex scheme to pilfer the signs of the opposition by sending a staff member to watch the sidelines of their opponents’ games in the weeks before the Wolverines play them.
After the formal NCAA verdict on the recruiting violations, Harbaugh will probably still be subject to additional sanctions. He served a self-imposed ban for the first few games of the season.
Off the field, Michigan football is undoubtedly not in the best of situations. Harbaugh won’t be safe if he decides to drop everything and go back to the NFL. According to reports from NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the league will discipline him.
“The NFL is unlikely to make itself a safe harbor for Harbaugh to escape what could be substantial NCAA discipline, league sources say, raising the strong possibility Harbaugh would need to serve some or all of any possible suspension he could face in college if he returns to the pros,” the report states.
Because of the recruitment issues and the sign-stealing, Harbaugh might be suspended. Pelissero and Rapoport are stating that he may face such suspensions if he chooses to rejoin the NFL. That isn’t an official NFL regulation, though.
“There isn’t a bylaw governing the matter,” the report added. “But sources pointed to former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel as precedent for how the NFL and its teams could handle a college suspension of Harbaugh.”
Shortly after leaving Ohio State, Tressel signed with the Colts; however, he was ultimately suspended due to infractions committed while he was at Ohio State.
It will be interesting to watch how the NCAA situation develops.