How Jim Harbaugh should respond to potential suspension at Big Ten Media Days

News broke on Tuesday morning of a potential Jim Harbaugh suspension. The Michigan head coach is likely to miss the Wolverines’ first four games of the season after providing false statements to the NCAA. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome will receive suspensions for the situation as well but only serve one game.

Harbaugh is expected to appear in Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon for Big Ten Media Days, where he will be answering questions. The suspension is definitely going to be brought up but Chris Balas of On3’s The Wolverine does not believe anything new will be said by Harbaugh. At best, we receive the same message Harbaugh’s lawyer sent out.

“I think he’s going to say what his lawyer said today,” Balas said when speaking to On3’s Andy Staples. “He said ‘We have no comment because it’s an ongoing investigation.’ That’s what I expect Jim Harbaugh to say. That and what he said at the beginning of spring ball — ‘When you compare us to perfect, we’re not there. Compare us to any other program out there, we’re pretty damn good.’ So, we’ll see what happens.”

Further questions will certainly be asked as well outside of a generic statement. However, Staples points out that if Harbaugh comments on the matter during an open investigation, he has a chance of being further punished.

Balas believes Harbaugh would love to go on stage at Lucas Oil Stadium and protect himself. But in the best interest of him and the Michigan Football program, nothing spicy will be coming from Harbaugh on Thursday.

“I can guarantee you Jim Harbaugh would want to defend himself,” Balas said. “And if he could speak, would speak, and say plenty about it. If you’re by advised, by not only your attorney but the Michigan attorneys, not to say anything, then he won’t. But he will be biting his tongue.”

Harbaugh will not be on the sideline for games against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green, and Rutgers. He will return on Sept. 30 for Michigan’s first road game of the season against first-year head coach Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

While getting a comment out of the usually outspoken head coach would be nice, expectations are not high at Big Ten Media Days. Harbaugh will just have to answer questions about the team as they prepare to make a serious run at a national championship.