Pete Thamel reveals latest from Michigan sign-stealing scandal, Tony Petitti meeting

This week has been a busy one for Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti. As the sign-stealing investigation continues at Michigan, centered on now-former analyst Connor Stalions, the question has been if the conference will punish the Wolverines or head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Petitti held multiple meetings over the last few days. On Wednesday, he held a call with the coaches. Harbaugh started out on the call to go over regularly scheduled business, but hung up to allow the others to speak freely about the situation. Then, on Thursday, Petitti spoke with the athletic directors.

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His week ended with two other meetings. One was with the Big Ten presidents and another was on Michigan’s campus with UM president Santa Ono. In light of those meetings, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the possible next steps could include some sort of punishment against Harbaugh — the most “realistic” of which would be a suspension.

“Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti’s had a busy day as the notion of the Big Ten potentially punishing Michigan under its sportsmanship portion of its bylaws continues to pick up steam,” Thamel told Elle Duncan on SportsCenter. “First of all, today, Petitti met with the Big Ten presidents on a video call. Sources told me the meeting wasn’t long and it wasn’t particularly detailed, but he just updated the presidents about where he was. That was a necessary step he had told the ADs, going forward, before any potential action was taken. The second thing he did today was meet with Michigan officials, including president Santa Ono in Ann Arbor today.

“As this pushes forward, we’ve had three straight days of Petitti meeting about potential punishments for Michigan. From what my understanding is, Elle, pushing forward, the most realistic punishment on the table is some type of suspension for Jim Harbaugh. When that would come, and it would not be before the Purdue game, and how long that is are some of the details that need to be meted out by the Big Ten. Or, if they decide to wait until the NCAA investigation finishes — this is a rare investigation that’s playing out in real time. And the Big Ten, including by engaging with the NCAA this week — which is a hugely important step — is showing signs that there will be some type of action against Michigan.”

The Big Ten coaches told Petitti they wanted to see the conference step in and punish the Wolverines in light of the scandal. Conference athletic directors echoed a similar sentiment, calling for action and floating the idea of a suspension against Harbaugh while protecting the players from punishment.

It’s all part of the ongoing saga, which started last month. The NCAA opened an investigation into alleged in-person scouting rules — a nearly 30-year-old rule — and it eventually led the inquiry to center on Stalions. He allegedly bought tickets to multiple Big Ten teams’ and possible College Football Playoff opponents’ games. Stalions resigned Friday after Michigan suspended him with pay, pending the results of the sign-stealing investigation.