Source: Harbaugh denies lie allegation; talks halt

2:40 PM ET Pete ThamelESPN Michigan’s NCAA violations case forecasts an extended path to resolution after

football coach Jim Harbaugh’s rejection during multiple conferences with the NCAA this week to acknowledge that he had lied to NCAA investigators, a source verified to ESPN on Thursday.During an attempt to accelerate the case and attain a “negotiated resolution,” Harbaugh declined to acknowledge that he

had actually lied to NCAA private investigators, a source verified. He has actually preserved that he does not remember the occurrence in concern, which has actually led to a dead stop in the case.Yahoo Sports first reported these details, that included 2 conferences with the NCAA this week.Editor’s Picks 2 Related An admission that Harbaugh

had lied likely would have resulted in him accepting a multiple-game suspension, as he deals with a possible

Level I NCAA violation

. The initial investigation into Michigan consisted of four Level II hiring offenses, which are less substantial in scope and punishment.But the possible Level I was included, as ESPN formerly reported, as part of a more major charge for not complying with the NCAA enforcement staff.This provides a fascinating standoff between Harbaugh and the NCAA, one that might potentially drag out for almost a year, per the typical NCAA enforcement and appeals timeline. For now, there appears to be little chance for a negotiated resolution, a source told ESPN.This suggests Michigan faces the belabored proceedings of an NCAA case, with the specter of Harbaugh’s anticipated multigame suspension most likely towering above the start of the 2024 season. There’s long shot that NCAA enforcement can execute the case prior to the start of the 2023 season.ESPN validated Yahoo’s

reporting that there’s essentially a deadlock between Harbaugh and the NCAA, as Harbaugh says he does not remember the event in concern and the NCAA is insisting he lied.That leaves Michigan dealing with an offenses process counter to the program’s preferred”Michigan Man”picture of integrity. Since an undefeated regular season in 2022, a thumping of Ohio State in Columbus, winning the Big 10 title and losing in the College Football Playoff to TCU, Michigan has been bogged down in controversy.Harbaugh talked to for the Denver Broncos job, but then interacted with university president Santa Ono– not athletic director Warde Manuel– that he means to stay. The announcement of Harbaugh staying originated from Ono’s Twitter feed, fueling the idea that there’s a rift between Harbaugh and Manuel. Harbaugh doubled down on that by mentioning Ono by name in his declaration and overlooking Manuel.Although Harbaugh’s return has been commemorated, nothing brand-new has emerged contractually to back up the words.Along with the NCAA drama and Harbaugh’s annual dance with the NFL, Michigan put co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss on leave in the middle of an authorities examination into a”report of computer system access criminal activities” at the group’s football facility. Weiss ‘future with the program doubts, and he informed ESPN he’s cooperating totally with the legal investigation.