Michigan Wolverines News: Jim Harbaugh hit with violations, Ronnie Bell to draft and more

In our latest Michigan Wolverines news roundup, Michigan football gets hit with NCAA infractions, Ronnie Bell declares for the NFL draft, and more. 

We have heard rumblings about an issue with Michigan football and the NCAA and it came to light on Thursday as the Wolverines received a notice of allegations from the NCAA.

The Athletic reported that Michigan got that notice on Thursday night and that it includes some Level II violations, as well as a Level I violation levied at Jim Harbaugh.

Level 1 violations are the most serious according to the NCAA and it’s possible it could even lead to a suspension. Here’s part of the report from for The Athletic:

"“Michigan faces four Level II violations and one Level I violation. The Level I violation, which is considered the most serious by the NCAA, is levied against Harbaugh for providing false or misleading information. The NCAA found that he failed to cooperate with investigators related to a Level II violation regarding contact with two prospects during the COVID-19 dead period.”"

The violations seem relatively minor, especially with what’s going on in the rest of the college football landscape. Programs are openly using NIL as pay-for-play and tampering with players at other colleges — just look at USC.

We don’t know exactly what Harbaugh did to provide false or misleading information but it’s not like it gave the Michigan Wolverines an advantage in any way.

However, if Harbaugh is subject to a suspension, I could see him entertaining an NFL offer more than before because that’s a bunch of hogwash. The NCAA needs to go away for good and this is why Michigan football needs to get more aggressive with NIL.

You can’t trust the NCAA to do the right thing and hold all the people accountable. Michigan football was reported by a former staff and the violations were minor. There are major ones happening in the opening so I understand Harbaugh’s frustration.

Harbaugh does say he expects to coach Michigan Wolverines in 2023

Prior to this, Harbaugh put out a statement saying he expects to be Michigan football head coach in 2023. He addressed the NFL rumors but hedged a little and you wonder if the NCAA investigation is part of the reason why.

Harbaugh ended his statement by saying, “Those who stay will be champions.”

We all know what that statement has meant throughout the history of Michigan football, so we’ll see what the future holds. Black Monday is coming this week though, so if something is going to happen with the NFL, it would likely be in the next week.

But I feel more optimistic about Harbaugh being back and frankly, still think he should get a massive contract extension because he deserves it. Michigan would be stupid to let itself be concerned at all with the NCAA nonsense in contract talks with Harbaugh.

Ronnie Bell has played his last game with Michigan Wolverines

Ronnie Bell has played his last game as a Michigan football player and it was a legendary one. The Wolverines didn’t win but Bell surely did his part. He caught two long passes — one went for a touchdown and one was marked down at the one.

After a knee injury sidelined Bell for almost all of the 2021 season, he returned in strong fashion with 62 receptions for 889 yards and three touchdowns. He could have returned for a sixth season but declared for the draft.

Thanks for everything, Ronnie, and good luck with your NFL career.