Jim Harbaugh boards Michigan team bus amid Big Ten suspension speculation

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti are apparently considering disciplinary action against — including a suspension from coaching — is in tow with his team for a road trip to play Penn State. Harbaugh was spotted boarding team buses outside the football facility as they load up and head to the airport on Friday.

It was reported earlier on Friday that Petitti and the Big Ten could take action as soon as Friday afternoon and punish Harbaugh and Michigan for the alleged impermissible scouting that has resulted in an ongoing NCAA investigation. It appears that as of mid-afternoon, Petitti has not levied any punishment.

Michigan and Penn State are slated to kick off at noon on Saturday in a matchup with massive implications, both for the Big Ten and College Football Playoff race.

Jim Harbaugh boards the Michigan team bus, headed for the airport ahead of tomorrow’s game at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/GxObOutUh0

— Aaron McMann | MLive Media Group (@AaronMcMann) November 10, 2023

And Harbaugh, for his part, seemingly always expected to be traveling with his team to coach this weekend.

Tom Mars, Harbaugh’s attorney, shared with ESPN’s Pete Thamel that he suspected the Michigan head coach would make his way to State College, Pennsylvania, with his team on Friday.

“I’m confident he’s going to be on that plane one way or another,” Mars said.

Potential punishments for Michigan run the gamut

“Sources indicate that the Big Ten will give Michigan a response early this afternoon,” ESPN’s Heather Dinich said on Get Up. “Michigan leaves at 1 p.m., they’ll fly mid-afternoon… Last night, Michigan sources indicated to me and my colleague that they had not had any communication with the Big Ten and there still has not been evidence presented to Michigan that Jim Harbaugh knew, orchestrated any of this, or lied.”

“The Big Ten, we’ve learned has considered the gamut of punishments,” she continued. “Now, we’re hearing this morning, it could be a three-game suspension, which would be significant and it could start this weekend.”

Among the “gamut” of possible punishments for Michigan, Dinich described a possible indefinite suspension, a two-year suspension, or even a simple public reprimand. Another form of punishment could be financial, including fines of up to $1 million or more.

Get Up host Mike Greenberg clarified with Dinich that a suspension for Harbaugh could mean he has to miss the Wolverines’ next three games. They play the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Maryland Terrapins, then finally, No. 1 Ohio State.

“It’s certainly possible,” Dinich said. “My understanding is that the Big Ten isn’t concerned about Michigan’s travel plans. They’ll release news when they deem fit and when they are ready.”

One of Harbaugh’s colleagues sounded off on the ordeal

Former Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi is speaking out in support of Harbaugh and the Wolverines program.

Poggi, who is currently the head coach at Charlotte, took to X to offer support of Harbaugh on Friday.

“I have been quiet on the Michigan situation BUT NO longer. I was closer to Jim Harbaugh over the last three years than anyone except his wife and kids. If Jim knew I would have known. I didn’t know and neither did he. I stake my reputation on it. Stop whining and get a better team,” Poggi posted.