Michigan football has been hit with a Level I allegation by the NCAA in connection to the ongoing investigation into illicit recruiting and coaching activities during the COVID-19 dead period. The school spokesperson confirmed that the program is also facing four Level II violations. The Level I accusation specifically targets Wolverines' head coach Jim Harbaugh for allegedly misleading investigators.

The notice of allegations was received by Michigan in January, in which the program promptly agreed to several Level II violations. These violations included activities such as texting during the dead period, on-field coaching by analysts, and coaches observing workouts through Zoom during the COVID-19 shutdown. However, the university is strongly disputing the Level I violation, which asserts that Harbaugh provided inaccurate information to investigators regarding these incidents.

In an attempt to mitigate the potential consequences, Harbaugh voluntarily imposed a three-game suspension on himself at the beginning of the season. The program had previously reached a negotiated settlement of a four-game suspension, but the NCAA Committee on Infractions rejected the agreement. The ultimate decision on whether the three-game suspension will satisfy the NCAA's punishment is yet to be determined and will go through the judicial process.

Michigan has been granted 90 days to respond to the notice of allegations, while the NCAA will have an additional 60 days to provide a rebuttal. This timeline allows the university to delay addressing the allegations until after the conclusion of the College Football Playoff. Additionally, there is the possibility of an appeals process that could extend into the summer.

Separately, Michigan is also under investigation for allegations of coordinated sign-stealing and in-person scouting involving former analyst Connor Stalions. In response to the NCAA's findings, the Big Ten conference imposed a three-game suspension on Harbaugh during the regular season. It is important to note that this case is unrelated to the current set of allegations.

As the investigation progresses, Michigan football remains under scrutiny, awaiting the final decision and potential consequences from the NCAA. The outcome of this process will undoubtedly have an impact on the program's future as it navigates through these serious allegations.