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Is a Big Ten punishment for the Michigan Wolverines and head coach Jim Harbaugh on the horizon?
According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, the conference could hand down a punishment as soon as Friday afternoon.
This comes just over 24 hours before the Wolverines prepare for a top-10 showdown with Penn State in Happy Valley.
sources indicate a Big Ten response is coming early this afternoon. Michigan leaves at 1 and flies midafternoon out of Detroit after getting through security checks, per usual routine.
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 10, 2023
Dinich then writes then tells people to “remember the Big Ten has considered a WIDE range of punishments – everything from indefinite suspension to public reprimand or lofty fine, sources tell me and (SP) @ESPNRittenberg… no assumptions. We have to wait for the news, but a suspension is certainly on the table.”
She states that if Harbaugh is suspended for more than two games or fined more than $10,000, the Big Ten will need “special permission from an executive board composed of league reps.”
Jim Harbaugh Denies Involvement In Michigan Sign-Stealing Scheme
Harbaugh, of course, has maintained his innocence throughout the process.
““I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter,” he said. “I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules.
“No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place.”
Though the conference could still hand down punishment on the basis that Harbaugh should have known about the scheme.