Michigan Wolverines news: More NCAA hypocrisy with Jim Harbaugh, plus a blow to 2024 recruiting class

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh’s ongoing saga with the NCAA took a twist this past weekend, plus more in our Michigan Wolverines news roundup. 

For the most part, it wasn’t a great weekend for the Michigan Wolverines, at least in terms of news that came out regarding the Michigan football program.

To be clear, it’s nothing that should impact Michigan football on the field in 2023, as the Wolverines attempt to win a third straight Big Ten championship.

However, the Jim Harbaugh suspension saga took a new twist as the reported deal for Harbaugh to accept a four-game suspension fell through. 

In a way, this is good news because Harbaugh is expected to be coaching every game for Michigan football this season, instead of the four-game suspension. Yet, it also means the issue is not resolved and there could be further penalties in the future, that could be harsher.

This all stems from “Burger Gate” even though the NCAA, going against its own rules, released a statement this weekend that this investigation “is about impermissible coaching activities during the COVID-19 dead period, not a cheeseburger” which isn’t true, since the only reason Harbaugh is reportedly getting suspended is because he said he didn’t recall meeting with the recruits and buying them lunch during a dead period. All other infractions are minor.

And all this pales in comparison to the programs opening paying for players under the guise of NIL. SEC programs are offering current players on other team’s rosters millions of dollars to enter the transfer portal and the NCAA won’t do a damn thing.

Scott Bell, a well-known Michigan football commentator, suggested that the Michigan Wolverines give head coach Jim Harbaugh a new contract and he couldn’t be more right.

Harbaugh deserves his extension now from Michigan football and frankly, it’s high time that the athletic department makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten, bar none, which more importantly, would send a message to the NCAA that Michigan has Harbaugh’s back.

Michigan Wolverines suffer a decommitment in 2024

Miami flipped one of Michigan football’s commitments in the 2023 class, and the Hurricanes did it again over the weekend as four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph flipped to the Canes on Saturday.

You could see it coming after Rudolph took a visit to Miami on July 29th, the final weekend before the August dead period. He had just committed to Michigan football on July 5th.

Rudolph is ranked in the top 300 overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings and was one of the Michigan Wolverines’ 19 blue-chip commitments.

Now, that number is down to 18 and Michigan football’s ranking in the 2024 class is down to No. 6 overall via the 247 Sports team rankings.