Dan Wetzel explains dangerous precedent Big Ten could set with Jim Harbaugh suspension

The last two weeks have seen plenty of twists and turns in the situation involving Michigan. As the NCAA goes through its investigation into the Wolverines for alleged sign-stealing rule violations, the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti could step in and issue a punishment under the league’s sportsmanship policy.

If that happens, Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel wondered what kind of ramifications the decision would have.

On Monday, Michigan received a notice of possible disciplinary action from the Big Ten and had until Wednesday respond. They did so, as Wetzel and Ross Dellenger reported, with a 10-page document to the conference that included “numerous objections” to a possible punishment against Jim Harbaugh or the program.

As Petitti weighs his decision after meeting with league coaches and athletic directors, Wetzel pointed out the type of precedent that could set. The big question at this point is how much Harbaugh knew, if anything, and how that would factor into the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy.

“Look, there’s been a lot of pushing of Big Ten saying, ‘Suspend him indefinitely,’ which would essentially be until the end of the NCAA investigation, which would take Jim Harbaugh out for the rest of the season,” Wetzel told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “He could certainly go this two-game route. Is it Penn State and Maryland? Does this get done by Penn State? Is it then Maryland, Ohio State? I think any suspension, Michigan will fight and try to get an injunction. Could it just be a fine? It’s interesting, Andy, because I get the sign-stealing and the cheating. It’s fun and the [Connor] Stalions stories are incredible. This guy is just a world-class character in this character-driven sport. All of it’s very interesting.

“But long-term, to me, the most interesting part here — and I know I probably don’t approach this all the way because I’m not a fan of Michigan or Ohio State or whatever — is the response by the NCAA and the Big Ten and how they did it. And I’ve argued all along, like, the precedent here for for the Big Ten is super dangerous for them. If they go hardcore on Jim Harbaugh right now. Whether you think he deserves it or not, whether you hate Michigan or not, the idea that you’d start wailing away on a guy like that without due process, guess whose coach it’s going to be next time?”

When it comes to the conference’s sportsmanship policy, Wetzel said Michigan argued Harbaugh didn’t do anything that falls under the purview of that clause. As a result, the university said Petitti doesn’t have the authority to issue a punishment in this case. In a statement through his lawyer after announcing his resignation, Stalions said Harbaugh didn’t know about the sign-stealing scheme.

If the Big Ten opts to suspend Harbaugh, Wetzel said he expects a legal fight.

“That’s the thing, and that would be Michigan’s point,” Wetzel said. “You don’t have that right because Jim Harbaugh has done nothing unsportsmanlike because nothing has been proven that Jim Harbaugh knew or you have any proof or you even have an investigation complete that he did anything.

“Connor Stalions? Probably suspend him. Jim Harbaugh? No. So whether he has that right, believe me, will find its way to a courthouse.”