Coaching for Jim Harbaugh is going to be a lot harder this season.
The Big Ten just revealed its punishment for Harbaugh following the conference’s investigation into allegations of Michigan sending scouts to opposing games to steal signs.
The sports world has been bracing for a decision from the conference for weeks now. It was reported earlier today that the Big Ten would have a decision today.
That decision has finally been made.
The conference is suspending Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season, according to an announcement from the Big Ten. He’ll still be able to coach his team throughout the week, but he won’t be able to join them on the sideline for the final three regular-season games of 2023:
“The Big Ten Conference announced today that the University of Michigan has been found in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.”
…
“As a penalty imposed on the institution, the University football team must compete without its Head Football Coach for the games remaining in the 2023 regular-season, effective immediately. This disciplinary action shall not preclude the University or its football team from having its Head Football Coach attend practices or other football team activities other than the game activities to which it applies. For clarity, the Head Football Coach shall not be present at the game venue on the dates of the games to which this disciplinary action applies. “
Some people thought this was too much. Some thought it wasn’t enough. Overall, here’s how college football fans reacted to the news.
He’ll be the Bears new head coach in a few weeks. https://t.co/D72Ydzo2f2
— Shawn West (@King__Killa) November 10, 2023
oh that’s a little slap on the wrist lmao schools will never have to experience what USC did https://t.co/hC4ZPcZcCp
— Ken✨ (@yagurlknic) November 10, 2023
He’s a Bear https://t.co/jMlNkThdSW
— Colby Marchio (@C_Marchio2) November 10, 2023
Teams that have stolen signs since 2019 that have yet to be disciplined:
– Georgia
– Clemson
– Alabama
– Cincinnati
– Oklahoma State
– Ohio State
– Marshall
– Stanford
– USC
– Louisville https://t.co/1mZvgz9cts— Peter (@pistolstweets) November 10, 2023
Next step is to not allow them to play in the @CFBPlayoff. https://t.co/z8G56ZYk2H
— Meaghan Krueger (@Meaghan_Kru3) November 10, 2023
NCAA players got worse punishments for betting their own money on games not even in their sport.
This man caught cheating in such an elaborate, articulated way and he gets a “naughty boy” finger shake.
B1G and NCAA have zero integrity. This proves that. Major injustice https://t.co/RIWaSAhQm2— HawkeyeFan (@Radio_Hawkeye) November 10, 2023
I’m sure the Michigan fanbase will take this news in a calm, collected, and completely rational manner. https://t.co/Cu4xZdiIor
— Terence (@TOPolk) November 10, 2023
I am now more convinced than ever that Michigan is going to win the national championship. https://t.co/LrhdG4Icmk
— Street (@David_Street17) November 10, 2023
I’m not even a #Michigan fan, but this is a joke & total witch hunt.
Coming from someone who was in the coaching profession for a decade… Literally every staff shares signs, play calls, & scouts with one another.
Anyone that tells you different is flat out lying to you. https://t.co/sH8iYpJqPq
— Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) November 10, 2023
With all these distractions, a prime opportunity for #PSU to add to their misery. Saturday NOON https://t.co/w17gcJOMSV
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) November 10, 2023
This is crazy.. Harbaugh’s been suspended for 6 games overall this season https://t.co/RVHnXOFjEX
— Terrell W. (@TheReal_TWill) November 10, 2023
Wtf kind of suspension is this?!
Big Ten just made this worse not better. They probably should’ve just waited, because this is unserious. https://t.co/ybCguXh9ht
— John R. Eakin (@JREakin) November 10, 2023
