After Jim Harbaugh received a four-year show-cause from the NCAA as a result of recruiting violations at Michigan during the COVID-19 dead period, some wondered how the NFL would respond. There are parallels to the Jim Tressel’s penalties following violations committed at Ohio State in 2011.

Harbaugh, of course, is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and no longer in college football. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the NFL declined to comment on if there was a precedent set that year.

The investigation into Tressel and Ohio State surrounded improper benefits and also saw Terrelle Pryor receive a suspension if he returned to college. Tressel received a five-year show-cause, meaning any team that attempted to hire him had to “show cause” in order to do so. In addition, he would’ve had to serve a six-game suspension if he returned to college football during that time.

Tressel then went to work for the Indianapolis Colts as a consultant, and the franchise suspended him for the first six games of the season. Roger Goodell supported that decision and said the NFL would have also issued a suspension.

Tressel’s punishment from the NCAA was similar to the one handed down to Harbaugh Wednesday. The former Michigan coach, in addition to a four-year show-cause, is facing a one-season suspension if he returns to the college level while the show-cause is in place. The violations involved impermissible recruiting contacts and inducements during the COVID-19 dead period.

An NCAA report indicated Harbaugh’s violations are Level II violations – the second-most severe on the scale – but “his unethical conduct and failure to cooperate with the membership’s infraction process” rose to a Level I violation. A Level I violation is what the NCAA considers the most severe. The NCAA specifically noted that Harbaugh provided “false or misleading information.”

Due to the nature of Harbaugh’s “intentional disregard for NCAA legislation and unethical conduct,” the severity of the case was amplified. The Division I Committee on Infractions then elevated Harbaugh’s case to a Level I-Aggravated status.

This case against Jim Harbaugh is different from the ongoing sign-stealing investigation. That centers around former analyst Connor Stalions, who is accused of leading an operation to steal opponents’ signals during his time on Michigan’s staff. A draft of the Notice of Allegations, reported by ESPN, indicated some potential punishments against current UM coach Sherrone Moore. The university expects to formally receive the Notice of Allegations soon.