Michigan Announces Replacements for Jim Harbaugh During HC’s 3-Game Suspension

In Jim Harbaugh’s absence, the Michigan Wolverines will have a committee in charge of head coaching.

The team will have four different head coaches for the first three games of the 2023 season as Harbaugh serves a three-game ban imposed by the University, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

In charge of the defence, Jesse Minter, will start the team’s season opener on September 2 against East Carolina. For the team’s third game, on September 16, against Bowling Green, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Sherrone Moore will assume the role. For the team’s game against UNLV on September 9, Special Teams Coordinator and safeties coach Jay Harbaugh will take the field in the first half, while run game coordinator and running backs coach Mike Hart will take charge in the second.

The NCAA initially penalised Harbaugh for four games due to a litany of infractions ranging from Level II to Level I. Impermissible contact with recruits—which stemmed from buying them cheeseburgers at a nearby restaurant—was one of the Level II infractions, according to Ari Wasserman of The Athletic.

The reason for the Level I violation was his unwillingness to cooperate fully with NCAA investigators. According to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, the original punishment ended earlier in August, but it was not permanently lifted.

The University’s self-imposed suspension may have lessened the impact of Harbaugh’s probable longer sentence in 2024.

The Wolverines start the season ranked No. 2 until then.