A new report suggests that Michigan Wolverines football coach Jim Harbaugh may not get the suspension that some expect and could just get an expensive slap on the wrist for stealing signs of upcoming opponents.
The Michigan football team has gotten off to a fantastic start in their ninth season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines are 9-0 heading into Week 11 and have dominated all of their competition in 2023 en route to a fifth-place spot on our current college football rankings.
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However, the program has been dogged by off-the-field problems for the man who leads their football program. Harbaugh missed his team’s first four games after being suspended for recruiting violations during the spring. Then two weeks ago, it was revealed that a Michigan staffer had been breaking Big-10 and NCAA rules on opponent scouting by recording the sideline signals for upcoming opponents
As more information has leaked out since the news broke, it seems like the former San Francisco 49ers coach does not have much of a defensive since the buck stops with him as the head of the football program. That is why there have been multiple reports that a second suspension this year could be levied on the 59-year-old.
Jim Harbaugh stats: 13 years as a CFB coach with Stanford and Michigan, 112-46 record
Well, not so fast. On Thursday, ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg gave an update on the possible punishment for Harbaugh from the Big-10, and while suspension is still possible, he may end up only getting a stiff fine.
“Although the Big Ten has considered a suspension for Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, it is considering a range of possibilities, including a significant fine, sources told me. Public reprimands/fines are common penalties under B1G sportsmanship policy,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Related: College football insider believes Jim Harbaugh should face significant discipline from NCAA
Despite his previous offenses it seems that may not have an affect on this latest infraction, possibly since it was the NCAA that dealt out that previous punishment. However, another reason could be the fact that this incident exposed the fact that many college football teams scout future opponents in advance despite the practice being outlawed almost three decades ago.
While Michigan football seemingly violated the rules more than most, it looks like the conference may not make an example of the head coach with them in the thick of a national championship race.
Harbaugh reportedly makes over $7 million dollars a season following a contract extension he signed last year.