The Big Ten’s case against Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is complete.
Harbaugh agreed to serve the full three-game suspension, the first of which he served last week against Penn State. The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh the day before the Penn State game after saying they had “uncontroverted” evidence of a sign-stealing attempt at the site.
Michigan initially sought a stay of the Big Ten’s ruling in the Washtenaw County (Mich.) court. A hearing on Michigan’s request to send Harbaugh back to the sidelines was scheduled for Friday. That hearing has now been canceled as the Big Ten has agreed to drop its investigation.
Harbaugh is now suspended for this weekend’s game at Maryland and the monumental matchup against rival Ohio State the following week. He is eligible to coach all subsequent postseason games, including a possible Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoffs.
While an NCAA investigation is ongoing, the Big Ten’s case against Harbaugh has been settled. Here’s a look at all the events of the last month that brought us to this point.
Oct. 18: The NCAA informs the Big Ten of personal scouting allegations
At a meeting in which the Big Ten said there were “several exceptional aspects,” NCAA President Charlie Baker had a phone call with the conference and Michigan, where he said the NCAA had “highly credible evidence of widespread, multi-year personal involvement.” Time Out.” campus scouting program orchestrated by a non-coaching employee of the university’s football program.”
On October 19, Yahoo Sports reported the existence of the investigation. According to Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti’s Nov. 10 letter to Michigan, the call contained “a clear statement from the NCAA that the nature and reliability of the evidence it had received indicated that it was an improper system.” “The injury to the team was ongoing and posed a significant risk of compromising the integrity of football competitions this season.”
The same day Yahoo reported, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said in a statement released that evening: “I have no knowledge or information that the University of Michigan football program is illegally stealing signs, nor have I directed any staff or others to participate .” in an off-campus scouting assignment.”
Oct. 20: Connor Stalions is suspended with pay
Two days after the call, Yahoo Sports named Michigan analyst Connor Stalions as a central figure in the personal scouting allegations and explained how other Big Ten schools knew about the plan.
“He runs the operation,” a Big Ten coach told Ross Dellenger of Yahoo. “I told it once [Stalions]’We know what kind of shit you do and it sucks.’”
Later that day, Michigan announced that it had suspended the Stallions with pay.
Oct. 24: Yahoo Sports announces Stallions is purchasing tickets to non-Big Ten games
The in-person scouting program was not limited to Big Ten opponents. Yahoo Sports revealed that in addition to purchasing tickets to games with other Big Ten teams, Stalions also purchased tickets to games with teams Michigan could face in the College Football Playoff.
Two days later, Yahoo reported that TCU – Michigan’s semifinal opponent in the College Football Playoff – was aware of the Stalions’ actions and had changed its signals before the playoffs. TCU defeated Michigan and advanced to the national title game.
Oct. 31: Central Michigan announces investigation into who was on the sidelines
Central Michigan said on Halloween that it was “in the process of determining the facts” regarding an image of a man who appeared to be Stalions in Central Michigan gear on the sidelines of the team’s season opener against Michigan State in September.
Michigan defeated Michigan State 49-0 in Week 8. The game took place after Stallions was suspended.
A time of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal and the subsequent suspension of Jim Harbaugh. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)
November 2: The Big Ten meets with Michigan and presents “undisputed” evidence
In a conference call with school and NCAA officials, the Big Ten said the NCAA “informed the conference and the university that the NCAA ‘knew and was able to prove’ many things based on its investigation and the evidence it collected.” about Michigan’s in-person scouting operation. Those aspects included how Stalions “participated in and coordinated an extensive, in-person, off-campus pre-scouting program,” he and others “videotaped signs used by prospective university opponents while attending opponents’ games in person.” During the Michigan games, Stalions “was present on the sidelines of the university, dressed similarly to university coaches, in close proximity to university coaches, and he communicated directly with such coaches.”
The Big Ten then made calls to the conference’s other athletic directors, while leaders from other schools urged the conference to take action against Michigan.
Later that evening, the Big Ten said Michigan President Santa Ono had asked the conference not to make a decision pending the results of the NCAA investigation because “oral communications from NCAA enforcement staff do not and do not constitute evidence.” can”.
November 3: Michigan parted ways with Connor Stalions
The University of Michigan and recruiting analyst Connor Stalions are parting ways after a controversial two weeks. Numerous schools accused Stallions of purchasing tickets to future Michigan opponents’ games in his name and passing them on to various friends and acquaintances. These people were seen on various surveillance cameras around the stadium holding up cell phones during the game, presumably to record signals from assistant coaches.
Michigan released a statement saying Stalions had resigned.
“Connor Stalions resigned from Michigan Athletics this afternoon,” the statement said. “We cannot comment further on this personnel matter.”
November 4: Big Ten officially notifies Michigan that it violated sports rules
Two days after the Big Ten told the school there was “indisputable” evidence of sign-stealing on site, it formally notified Michigan that the school had violated the conference’s athletic policies. In its statement, the Big Ten said “these were not isolated or random incidents. “The violations were widespread, systemic and occurred over several years.”
November 8: Michigan responds to notice from Big Ten
Michigan responded four days after the Big Ten announced. The conference said Michigan “did not deny” the existence of the Stalions plan and argued that the Big Ten had no authority to discipline the school. Michigan also told the Big Ten that other teams had passed its signals among each other and that “the company believed it had evidence that other conference members had committed improper personal sign thefts.”
November 10: Harbaugh receives a three-game suspension
Michigan’s response did not influence the Big Ten, as Pettiti sent a letter to the school explaining why Jim Harbaugh was suspended for three games for personal sign-stealing.
In the letter, the Big Ten said that “the existence of the improper plan is established” and that Harbaugh would be allowed to practice during the week but would not be allowed to be on the sidelines on game days for the remainder of the regular season.
“We are imposing this disciplinary action even though the conference has not yet received any information indicating that Head Coach Harbaugh was aware of the impropriety of the sign stealing.” This is not a sanction from Coach Harbaugh. It is a sanction against the University that, under the exceptional circumstances of this offensive conduct, best fits the violation because: (1) it preserves the ability of the University’s student-athletes to continue to compete; and (2) it recognizes that the head coach embodies the university as it relates to its football program.”
November 11: Judge sets hearing for November 17 as Michigan defeats Penn State
Michigan immediately objected to the Big Ten’s suspension and requested a stay of the ruling in Washtenaw County (Mich.). Judge Tim Connors, who was assigned to the case, did not issue a ruling before Michigan’s win against Penn State on Saturday and scheduled a hearing for Nov. 17.
Michigan and Harbaugh argue that the Big Ten overstepped its bounds in suspending Harbaugh and that the conference lacks evidence that Harbaugh himself broke rules.
After Michigan’s win over Penn State, interim coach Sherrone Moore gave an emotional sideline interview and praised Harbaugh.
“I want to thank the Lord. I want to thank Coach Harbaugh. I love you, man. I love your shit, man. We did this for you,” Moore said after the win. “For this university, the president, our AD… We have the best players, the best university, the best alumni in the country.”
No. 16: Jim Harbaugh agrees to serve a three-game suspension and resolve the case before the court date
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has agreed to serve a three-game suspension imposed by the Big Ten for alleged improper personal sign theft by a member of the UM football team.
That ends the book on the Big Ten’s punishment of Harbaugh, one day before a scheduled court date that would have determined whether or not Harbaugh could have temporarily stayed his suspension.
The university released a statement saying the pending litigation between UM, Harbaugh and the Big Ten has been resolved. As a result, the Big Ten has agreed to drop its investigation into Michigan and Harbaugh will serve his full suspension.