Jim Harbaugh was suspended primarily due to multiple NCAA and Big Ten violations related to recruiting and unethical conduct while he was head coach at the University of Michigan. The NCAA imposed a one-season suspension and a four-year show-cause order on Harbaugh due to impermissible contacts with recruits and players during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period, failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance, and providing false or misleading information during the investigation. He was found responsible for unethical conduct and a failure to monitor his staff, which included a sign-stealing scheme involving in-person scouting of opponents, prohibited by NCAA and Big Ten rules. While the NCAA's suspension bars him from college athletics for one full season if he coaches at another NCAA school, the Big Ten also imposed a separate three-game suspension during the 2023 season related to the sign- stealing scandal. In summary:

• NCAA found Harbaugh engaged in recruiting violations and unethical conduct, granting a one-season suspension and a four-year show-cause order (2024-2028) that imposes strong restrictions if hired by any NCAA school.
• Big Ten suspended him for three games in the 2023 season for leading an impermissible in-person scouting/sign-stealing operation.
• These sanctions stemmed from violations occurring during his Michigan tenure, including recruiting contacts during the COVID dead period and oversight failure regarding staff misconduct.

Harbaugh denies personal involvement but has faced these penalties as head coach accountable for the program's actions.