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The Big Ten Conference has suspended Michigan’s Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, who will be banned from the sidelines for the remainder of the regular season.
The punishment comes in response to the University of Michigan’s violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy due to an impermissible, in-person scouting operation spanning multiple years.
As a consequence, the football team will be without Harbaugh on the sidelines for the final three games of the 2023 regular season.
The Big Ten statement includes: “We impose this disciplinary action even though the Conference has not yet received any information indicating that Head Football Coach Harbaugh was aware of the impermissible nature of the sign-stealing scheme.”
They add that the discipline is final and not subject to appeal.
The suspension only applies to game activities. Harbaugh is still permitted to attend practices and other football team activities.
What happened with Michigan involves former analyst Connor Stalions, who resigned last week, he was accused of purchasing tickets to games featuring Michigan’s future opponents and deploying individuals to film the sidelines.
It is strange Harbaugh was suspended but only from being on the sidelines, and can still coach.