Jim Harbaugh of Michigan is Out for the Remainder of the Regular Season.
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti suspended Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh from game-day duties for the remainder of the regular season on Friday, setting off an unprecedented chain of events that culminated in one of the most intense controversies in college sports history. This means that Harbaugh will miss the Wolverines’ games against Ohio State on November 25, Penn State on Saturday, and Maryland on November 18. However, he may be able to coach against the Nittany Lions, at least, if Michigan files an emergency lawsuit.
After Michigan had left Ann Arbor for what should be the hardest game of the season for the Wolverines—a trip to State College, Pennsylvania—a decision in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal was rendered. Although he is unable to enter Beaver Stadium and lead the team during the game, Harbaugh was likely on the bus to Detroit and then the charter flight to Pennsylvania.
“We are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered, like all members of the Big Ten Conference,” Michigan stated in a statement. Commissioner Tony Petitti’s action today defies fundamental principles of due process, disregarded the Conference’s own handbook, and establishes an unworkable precedent of imposing penalties prior to the conclusion of an investigation. We are shocked by the Commissioner’s snap decision given that the NCAA is still conducting an investigation, with our full cooperation.
