Heather Dinich: 'There's mounting evidence' against Michigan, sign-stealing story ‘far from over’

ESPN’s Heather Dinich doesn’t believe the Michigan sign-stealing story is close to being over.

The drama took a new turn on Thursday, when Jim Harbaugh accepted his three-game suspension from the Big Ten. The Wolverines leader put an end to what was expected to be an intense legal battle.

Afterwards, Dinich took to ESPN’s Get Up on Friday to explain where we go from here, stating that the NCAA has the ball in their court now, after the Big Ten levied their punishment, and evidence is continuing to mount against Harbaugh’s program.

“This story is far from over,” Dinich began. “My understanding is that there’s mounting evidence against Michigan, and the Big Ten all along had evidence, in regards to Michigan breaking the rule. I will stand by the fact that the Big Ten and Michigan continue to say they’re not evidence that Harbaugh specifically knew about this, or orchestrated it or condoned any of it. The question is did other members of the staff know, what are the other implications.

“Our reporters are continuing to work this developing story, to find out what the evidence was, but the case was dismissed with prejudice yesterday. That means that the court determined two things, you can’t bring this back, and there are facts of the case that — one of the things Michigan would’ve had to prove is that you could win it in court. So this story is ongoing, and I think that it’s important that people stay tuned to it, because it’s certainly not over.”

Additionally, Dinich panned the statement released by the Big Ten and Michigan on Thursday, and explained that the case is now in the NCAA’s hands moving forward.

“That’s absolutely right,” Dinich responded, asked if the Big Ten has basically passed the baton to the NCAA. “The Big Ten right now, first of all, Michigan’s statement was wrong yesterday. The Big Ten never initiated any investigation. The Big Ten’s information came from the NCAA. It’s now in the NCAA’s hands. The Big Ten and Tony Petitti reserve the right thought, to have further implications and punishments on Michigan, if more evidence emerges.

“But right now, the Big Ten is not actively reviewing any evidence. This is in the NCAA’s hands.”

While Jim Harbaugh will miss three games for the Wolverines, it’s evident more punishment could come to Michigan. We’ll see what the NCAA thinks of, but Heather Dinich will have it covered every step of the way.