ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh announced Thursday that he will serve the remainder of a three-game suspension from the Big Ten in exchange for the conference ending its investigation into a scheme to steal opponents’ play-calling signals.
The parties’ agreement is the latest twist in a month-long saga involving one of college football’s most recognizable programs, one of its most successful coaches, and allegations that a low-level Michigan staffer purchased tickets to future opponents’ games and sent people to those games to digitally record teams signaling in their plays.
“Coach Harbaugh, with the university’s support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field,” the university said in a statement. “The conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any evidence linking Coach Harbaugh to the allegations.” The university is continuing to fully cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation.”
The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh last Friday, three weeks after the NCAA launched an investigation into the allegations. Michigan requested an injunction and temporary restraining order hours later, but Harbaugh did not coach the team against Penn State on Saturday.
The two sides were scheduled to appear in court Friday in Ann Arbor, but Michigan and Harbaugh dropped the complaint, and Harbaugh will miss games against Maryland on Saturday and No. 2 Ohio State at home on Nov. 25.
During the week, he will be allowed to coach the team. The penalty is only applicable on game days.
“The University of Michigan is a valued member of the Big Ten Conference and the Conference will continue to work cooperatively with the University and the NCAA during this process,” according to a statement released by the Big Ten.
No. 3 Michigan is one of the favorites to win a national championship and is aiming for its third consecutive Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance.
The NCAA investigation began four weeks ago, following allegations that Michigan used a robust in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation led by Connor Stalions, a recruiting analyst who has since resigned after being suspended by the school. The Big Ten also stated at the time that it was investigating the allegations.
The NCAA has no rules against stealing signs, but it does prohibit schools from sending scouts to future opponents’ games and from using electronic equipment to record another team’s signals.
The NCAA process is slow, but the Big Ten’s rules allowed Commissioner Tony Petitti to impose discipline more quickly. It imposed a three-game suspension on Harbaugh, which the school immediately challenged.
University officials decided to settle the case because the Big Ten refused to reduce Harbaugh’s suspension to two games. According to a person familiar with the situation, the school also did not want to drag the dispute into court and negotiated for the conference to end its investigation.
That person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity on Thursday because they were not authorized to share the school’s reasoning.
Harbaugh will miss half of the Wolverines’ regular-season games this season due to a three-game suspension imposed by the school for an unrelated NCAA infractions case involving recruiting.
He has repeatedly denied any involvement in the apparent Stallion scheme.
Harbaugh referred to Michigan as “America’s team” earlier this week for continuing to win despite the scandal.
“America loves a team that beats the odds, beats the adversity, overcomes what the naysayers and so-called experts think,” he told reporters on Monday.
Multiple Big Ten schools have records indicating ticket purchases under the Stallion’s name dating back three years, as well as video surveillance footage of people in those seats with cell phones pointed toward the field.
Angry and frustrated Big Ten coaches and athletic directors pressed Petitti to punish Harbaugh before the NCAA’s investigation was completed.
When the Big Ten stepped in, Michigan claimed the commissioner overstepped his authority and violated the conference’s bylaws.
Athletic Director Warde Manuel issued a scathing statement just before Michigan’s game at Penn State, which the Wolverines won 24-15.
“Not liking someone or another university or believing without any evidence that they knew or saying someone should have known without an investigation is not grounds to remove someone from their position before the NCAA process has reached a conclusion through a full NCAA investigative process,” Manuel said in a statement.
He went on to say, “You may have removed him from our sidelines today, but Jim Harbaugh is our head football coach,” he said.
If Michigan wins the Big Ten championship game on December 2, Harbaugh could return. The winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game will determine which of the heated rivals will compete for the Big Ten championship and possibly a playoff spot.
