Update: Michigan has now announced the move.
"While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, today's announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process," said AD Warde Manuel. "We will continue to support Coach Harbaugh, his staff, and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA's guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved."
Michigan will self-impose a 3-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh to be served immediately, according to Maize and Blue Review.
The decision comes roughly a week after talks for a negotiated settlement between Michigan and the NCAA broke down. The belief within Schembechler Hall was that the NCAA would agree to a 4-game suspension for its head coach, but the NCAA, specifically the Committee on Infractions, did not agree to those terms.
Now, Michigan apparently believes a less stringent penalty will be enough to appease the infractions committee.
The belief following last week's news was that a resolution would not come this season, and that any suspension Harbaugh served would then take place in the fall of 2024.
The NCAA has accused Harbaugh of not being forthcoming with investigators in regards to Michigan's alleged recruiting activities during the COVID-19 shut down.
"The Michigan infractions case is related to impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger,” said Derrick Crawford, NCAA vice president, hearing operations, said earlier this month. “It is not uncommon for the [Committee on Infractions] to seek clarification on key facts prior to accepting. ... If the involved parties cannot resolve a case through the negotiated resolution process, it may proceed to a hearing, but the committee believes cooperation is the best avenue to quickly resolve issues.”
The second-ranked Wolverines open with East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green, all at the Big House.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.