Does Jim Harbaugh's NCAA show-cause penalty impact Michigan's national championship?

The answer is a quick no, and here's why.

The NCAA's ruling Wednesday dates to an investigation into recruiting violations during a COVID-19 dead period in 2021. The punishment is specified solely for "Harbaugh's conduct" and does not further affect Michigan's football program.

Michigan football already accepted NCAA probation

The school and five staffers agreed in April to a three-year probation, a $5,000 fine plus 1% of its football budget, and a handful of recruiting sanctions.

"Today’s announcement mirrors the resolution we negotiated with the NCAA enforcement staff that was subsequently accepted by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions in April 2024," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said Wednesday in a statement. "We have accepted the sanctions and have already served many of the penalties outlined in the findings. Our staff has worked to improve processes and we are focused on the future and our commitment to integrity and compliance."

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[3:06 PM] Birkle, Andrew

The initial violation from 2021 was deemed to be Level II, but an additional Level I (stricter) violation was brought against Harbaugh, who told the NCAA he had no recollection of the Level II violations. The NCAA determined this to be misleading because he changed his story.

Harbaugh is charged with "unethical conduct” and failure to promote “an atmosphere of compliance.” Harbaugh has a show-cause penalty of four years, effective immediately from Aug. 7, 2024 through Aug. 6, 2028. And he is suspended from the NCAA for one year, should he choose to return to college athletics.

He was the head coach as the Wolverines went 15-0, ending in a 34-13 crowning over Washington in the Jan. 8 title game in Houston. Harbaugh got his NFL wish Jan. 24, when he was named Los Angeles Chargers head coach, leaving a wake of clean-up behind him.

READ MORE: Sherrone Moore's image is tarnished before start of Michigan head coaching tenure

Michigan football punishments may not be over

Michigan, now headed by former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, opens its season Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State.

Moore could face his own punishment, including a possible suspension and show-cause penalty, for allegedly deleting 52 text messages with former Wolverines analyst Connor Stalions, a Level II violation. This action came on the same day in October when media reports identified Stalions as the man leading an illegal sign-stealing operation. Moore would be a repeat offender, as he was suspended for last season's opener for his involvement in the same COVID-19 recruiting dead period violations as Harbaugh.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Does NCAA show-cause impact Michigan national championship