First-year Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked Monday to respond to new allegations that he did not cooperate during an investigation into sign-stealing while he was still in charge of the University of Michigan program.
According to an NCAA notice of allegations obtained by ESPN on Sunday, Harbaugh didn't allow the organization to review records from his personal cell phone. Harbaugh could face a show-cause penalty if he returns to coaching in the college ranks.
Related: NCAA Puts New Michigan Coach Moore on Notice Over Alleged Sign-Stealing Text Deletions
"Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised on that lesson," Harbaugh told reporters at Chargers training camp in El Segundo, Calif., as reported by Sports Illustrated. "I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I've coached.
"No one's perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations. So for me, it's back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."
The notice states that current Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore allegedly deleted a thread of 52 text messages with former Wolverines employee Connor Stalions in 2023 on the day reports dropped that Stalions was the centerpiece of Michigan's operation to steal play-calling signals of future opponents.
Harbaugh's Chargers are set to begin their three-game preseason schedule Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium.
