On Friday, Harbaugh was issued a 10-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA as part of the Michigan advance scouting case. The governing body for college athletics found Harbaugh in violation of monitoring his program and failing to cooperate with investigators, both Level I violations.

Michigan will serve a four-year probation, lose 10% of its scholarships in 2025–26, and endure a 25% cut in recruiting visits. The NCAA also levied a $50,000 fine plus 10% of the football program’s budget, bringing the total financial hit to more than $20 million. The recruiting restrictions include a 14-week communication ban.

Harbaugh, who left Michigan to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers after leading the Wolverines to the 2023 national championship, is largely insulated from the immediate impact of the NCAA's ruling. Yet the 10-year show-cause would remain a major barrier should he attempt a return to college football .