The Big Ten has decided to discipline Michigan for its part in the sign-stealing controversy by preventing Jim Harbaugh from coaching the Wolverines on game days for the rest of the 2023 season.
The odd quirk is that Harbaugh will still be allowed to coach the Wolverines during the week, but he won’t be allowed to lead his team from the sidelines for their remaining three games on the schedule. Based on how the wording is stated, we’d assume Harbaugh will be allowed to resume coaching the Wolverines when postseason play begins.
Here is the Big Ten’s official announcement on the matter.
“Michigan has been found in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.”
“As a penalty imposed on the institution, the University football team must compete without its Head Football Coach for the games remaining in the 2023 regular-season, effective immediately. This disciplinary action shall not preclude the University or its football team from having its Head Football Coach attend practices or other football team activities other than the game activities to which it applies. For clarity, the Head Football Coach shall not be present at the game venue on the dates of the games to which this disciplinary action applies.”
Big Ten’s statement on Jim Harbaugh discipline
It was just yesterday when reports surfaced of Harbaugh potentially avoiding a suspension while possibly only being subject to fines instead.
While this development is a much different outcome, the Big Ten’s current disciplinary plan may not be the end of it for Michigan and Harbaugh. The NCAA’s investigation is still ongoing, and it’s possible they will have their own form of discipline, depending on the details uncovered.
Michigan is ranked third in the AP College Football poll and still has battles against Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State to close out the regular season.
Michigan seeks court order to fight decision to suspend Jim Harbaugh
As you can imagine, Michigan is not happy with the Big Ten’s decision to prevent Coach Harbaugh from joining the team on gameday for the rest of the regular season. The university has since released a statement of their own in response to the discipline handed down.
“Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered. Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference’s own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner’s rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation – one in which we are fully cooperating!”
“Commissioner Petitti’s hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially. By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran’s Day – a court holiday – to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect.”
Michigan’s response to Jim Harbaugh suspension
Related: Top 10 college football quarterbacks: Where does Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy land?