What is a show cause order? NCAA announced punishment for Jim Harbaugh for recruiting violations

The NCAA has announced disciplinary actions against Michigan Wolverines’ former football coach, Jim Harbaugh for four years, due to multiple recruiting violations. The infractions, which occurred during the COVID-19 dead period, included impermissible contact with recruits and providing false or misleading information to NCAA investigators.

A show cause order is one of the NCAA’s most severe penalties. It requires the penalized party to demonstrate why they should not face further disciplinary action for their violations. During the enforcement period, Harbaugh will need to adhere to specific restrictions and compliance measures if he continues to coach at Michigan or elsewhere. Oddly enough the NCAA decided to impose the show cause order right after he decided to join the NFL as the new head coach of Chargers.

Details of the violations for the show cause order against Jim Harbaugh

The NCAA found that Harbaugh engaged in impermissible contact with recruits during the NCAA-mandated dead period, which was established to mitigate recruiting activities during the pandemic.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Harbaugh was not fully transparent with NCAA officials, leading to additional charges of providing false or misleading information.

The show cause order against Harbaugh includes several restrictions, such as limitations on his recruiting activities and a One-Year Suspension. Harbaugh is suspended from all team-related activities for one full season if he returns to college coaching during the show-cause period. Which at this point are mute since he has now joined the NFL.