Big Ten releases statement, officially announces Jim Harbaugh suspension

The Big Ten on Friday officially announced a punishment for Michigan — namely head coach Jim Harbaugh — under the league’s sportsmanship policy as a result of the NCAA investigation into the Wolverines for alleged impermissible scouting. Harbaugh will be barred from coaching on gamedays for the final three regular season games.

“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,” the statement from the Big Ten reads, in part. 

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A punishment, or some action, was expected to come at some point on Friday. Michigan and the Big Ten had exchanged a number of terse letters in the days leading up to the decision, which the Big Ten included with the announcement.

Along with previous letters, a new, 13-page letter from league commissioner Tony Petitti to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel spelled out the decision.

In his letter, Petitti said the impermissible scouting “scheme” was proven to exist, and immediate action was appropriate.

“As described below, the existence of the impermissible scheme is proven. While other
investigatory bodies continue to develop additional evidence of the scope, extent and individual
knowledge of the scheme that may advise additional or enhanced penalties in the future, taking
immediate action is appropriate and necessary under the Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy,” Petitti said.

The league also cited a portion of “Conference Agreement 10.01,” which is the sportsmanship policy.

“The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of the competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials,” it reads.

Michigan and Harbaugh, in a statement responding to the suspension, plan to fight this move in court. In previous letters to the league, Michigan has laid out that Petitti and the league do not have the leeway to levy a punishment against Michigan, and more specifically Harbaugh, under the sportsmanship policy.

With news of the suspension now out, Harbaugh and Co. could file for a motion in court to get a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against the Big Ten, prohibiting the league from applying this punishment until the court makes a decision. Whether or not a judge, likely local to southeast Michigan, grants such injunctive relief remains to be seen.