Jim Harbaugh: Michigan coach’s brother John left ‘proud’ despite suspension amid sign-stealing scandal over ‘way he’s handled himself’

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he is proud of the way his brother Jim handled himself during the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.

Michigan head coach Jim was handed a three-game suspension after the program became involved in a sign-stealing scandal, including allegations of personal scouting of opponents – some of which is as old as three seasons, which is not allowed under NCAA rules.

‘I obviously have a lot of opinions about it. I am his brother, and I am very proud of him. I’m really impressed with the way he’s gotten himself through all of this,” John said of his brother.

The Ravens coach also revealed that his brother had his phone and computer searched as part of the Michigan investigation.

“His phones, his computers and all that stuff were looked at, and he passed this with flying colors,” John Harbaugh said.

Jim has been suspended as Michigan’s head coach for three games due to the scandal

“I don’t know what they’re trying to achieve, but they don’t have anything substantive, and I just think I’m proud of him. I think it’s a real compliment to our family and to him, something we can be proud of.”

The Big Ten Conference banned Jim from coaching Michigan’s final three regular season games, saying the school violated its sportsmanship policy by conducting “an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over several years” that resulted in “an unfair competitive advantage that compromised integrity brought’. of competition.’

The league acknowledged during Harbaugh’s suspension last week that it had not received any information indicating that he was aware of the impermissible nature of the sign-stealing scheme.

“You kind of get into a situation where you come under fire for whatever reason, and you end up in a really good place and you always do the right thing, and I’m really proud of that,” John Harbaugh said. .

“He’s a great man, he’s a great coach. His players love him. His coaches love him, and he remains strong through it all.”

The Big Ten said the suspension was intended to punish the university, not Jim Harbaugh.

No. 2 Michigan is trying to challenge the punishment in court, but the Wolverines were without Harbaugh as they defeated Penn State last weekend to remain undefeated.

John Harbaugh was also asked if he had plans to attend Michigan’s game next Saturday against Maryland if his brother was able to challenge the suspension, or if he would watch the game with his brother if the suspension was in effect , but he said he was focused on fighting the suspension. via Baltimore’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.