Michigan head football coach, Jim Harbaugh, has decided to accept the three-game suspension imposed by the Big Ten in relation to the sign-stealing scandal that has plagued the program. This announcement comes as U of M issued a statement on Thursday, stating that all parties involved have settled their pending litigation and that the conference has concluded its investigation into the matter.
Key Takeaway
Jim Harbaugh has accepted his three-game suspension in efforts to shift the focus back to the student-athletes and their performance on the field.
The university expressed its support for Coach Harbaugh in accepting the sanction, with the intention of shifting the focus back to the student-athletes and their performance on the field. Notably, the Big Ten confirmed that there is no evidence suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations.
As a result of the suspension, Harbaugh will be absent from Michigan’s upcoming game against Maryland, as well as the highly-anticipated rivalry game against Ohio State. The match against Ohio State holds significant importance as both schools are currently ranked in the top four.
It is important to note, however, that accepting the suspension does not mean that Harbaugh is completely in the clear. The NCAA is still conducting its own investigation into the scandal, specifically regarding the actions of staffer Connor Stalions, who has been accused of buying tickets to decipher sideline signals of Michigan’s future opponents.
In response, the university has expressed its commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing NCAA investigation.
During the suspension, Harbaugh will be permitted to continue coaching the team during the week but will not be allowed on the sidelines during game day for the next two matchups.
Despite this setback, the Wolverines managed to secure a victory over the 10th-ranked Penn State team, with a final score of 24-15, demonstrating their resilience and ability to perform even in challenging circumstances.
