On the eve of a scheduled court hearing where Michigan was expected to seek the reinstatement of football coach Jim Harbaugh, the university and the Big Ten Conference announced Thursday that the two sides have resolved their litigation, and that Harbaugh will accept a three-game suspension related to what the Big Ten called an “impermissible, in-person scouting operation.”
The Big Ten is closing its investigation as a part of the agreement, though the sign-stealing saga is not over for Michigan, as an NCAA investigation remains ongoing.
“The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension. Coach Harbaugh, with the University’s support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.”
The Big Ten also noted that it “is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations.”
As a result of the suspension, Michigan will be without Harbaugh for the two remaining regular season games on the schedule, against Maryland on November 18th, and at home against Ohio State on November 25th.
Here’s what fans had to say about Thursday’s big news:
#Michigan has decided to accept the Big 10's three game suspension of Jim Harbaugh and will no longer pursue a restraining per statement it just released…. pic.twitter.com/HUKFuNVacw
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) November 16, 2023
Big Ten Conference Statement on University of Michigan Decision https://t.co/JnOzeSz9Z9 pic.twitter.com/U3sBvFfPjv
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) November 16, 2023
I cannot believe we've just been deprived of Sworn Jim Harbaugh Testimony
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) November 16, 2023
Wait?!?! I thought Michigan’s lawyers were going to have a field day with this? Harbaugh himself said he was going to testify? They did nothing wrong? 😂😂😂
The house of cards continues to fall for the Wolverines.
The Big 10 might stop their investigation but I BET the NCAA… https://t.co/Yvc3YnKgD8
— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) November 16, 2023
Michigan was so “outraged” by the Harbaugh suspension and was “for sure” going to get an injunction. 😂😂 Lol what happened?? What happened is they finally acknowledged the mountain of evidence against them and wanted the Big Ten to stop looking. NCAA is gonna cook them!
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) November 16, 2023
With Harbaugh officially missing the Ohio State game… can you imagine the heat Ryan Day would face from his fanbase if he loses to Sherrone Moore? pic.twitter.com/i7fAf9x1e3
— Alex Ansted (@AlexAnstedCFB) November 16, 2023
Jim Harbaugh when Tony Petitti hands him the Big Ten championship trophy in Indianapolis: pic.twitter.com/AVkUVKVAVO
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) November 16, 2023
If Ohio State loses to Michigan for the third straight year and without Jim Harbaugh coaching the game, that program is beyond finished. You will see that fanbase in a meltdown like we've never seen before. Fans will demand the firing of Ryan Day.
Nov 25th cant some soon…
— Wolverine Corner (@WolverineCorner) November 16, 2023
Michigan sure went from screaming DUE PROCESS with high powered lawyers to “Yea we accept our punishment” real quick.
And it’s not even that bad. In season Big 10 & National title hopes are alive. They’ll still play Harbaugh = martyr card
Any NCAA penalty will be after the fact
— Jim Costa (@JimCosta_) November 16, 2023
Michigan: we resolved our differences and came to an agreement
Big Ten: they quit https://t.co/bsE7seRnJf
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 16, 2023
"I will refuse to recognize Michigan as the National Champs. I was taught that athletics should be an even playing field and to me they are not subscribing to that."@Finebaum explains why he wouldn't recognize #Michigan as a National Champion if they won it all this season pic.twitter.com/SBI2fXxPoc
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) November 16, 2023
“IT’S MICHIGAN AGAINST THE WORLD AND WE HAVE THE BEST LAWYERS”
[Big Ten proceeds to present their evidence of team caught red handed in largest modern day college football cheating scandal]
Five days later:
“WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF OUR SURRENDER?”
— Anthony Lima (@SportsBoyTony) November 16, 2023
