The University of Michigan football program was on a plane from Ann Arbor to State College, Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon when news broke about a punishment from the Big Ten. Timing of the announcement could not have been funnier or more awkward.
It all started as the Wolverines boarded their flight ahead of Saturday’s game against Penn State. Multiple players wore shirts that read ‘MICHIGAN VS. EVERYBODY’ as the team continues to deal with hate stemming from the ongoing sign-stealing scandal.
Among those wearing the shirt was Blake Corum, who recently denied doing any business with Connor Stalions despite his name being attached to an LLC under the former staffer’s name in Wyoming. They made it abundantly clear that they are not concerned with the outside noise and are instead using it as motivation. The shirts were a bold statement.
Not long thereafter, the plane hauled down the runway and lifted into the air. Wolverines football — including Jim Harbaugh — were on their way to face the Nittany Lions.
At some point during the three and a half hour flight (ish), Pete Thamel of ESPN dropped a bombshell.
The Big Ten is expected discipline Michigan for the in-person scouting and ongoing sign stealing investigation and will prohibit Jim Harbaugh from being on the sideline until the conclusion of the regular season. He will be allowed to coach during the week.
— Pete Thamel on X, formerly known as Twitter
Michigan was in the air, on a plane, wearing shirts that pitted the program against everybody. Meanwhile, the Big Ten dropped the hammer and kicked the head coach off of the sideline.
Brutal.
To make it even more awkward, Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic said that the Wolverines had not received any official word regarding the punishment as the news broke while they were in the air.
The Michigan team is still currently flying and has not received any communication from the Big Ten Conference office.
— Nicole Auerbach on X, formerly known as Twitter
Minutes later, Thamel’s report became official. The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh from the sidelines for the remaining three games of the regular season.
Michigan was still somewhere over Ohio or western Pennsylvania. Harbaugh was flying to Penn State to coach a game that he is no longer allowed to coach (barring an appeal).
That led to an emergency meeting on the tarmac upon arrival!
The timing of the entire thing does not get anymore awkward. And for those who don’t root for the Wolverines, even those who disagree with the punishment), it does not get any more hilarious.