Michigan ACCEPTS three-game ban for Jim Harbaugh over sign-stealing scandal as school withdraws its legal challenge and Big 10 promises to close its investigation
Michigan has agreed to accept the suspension of coach Jim Harbaugh over the school’s sign stealing scandal.
The school had filed a legal challenge against the Big Ten, with a hearing previously scheduled for Friday, but Harbaugh will now miss games against Maryland and Ohio State.
At the same time, the Big Ten will conclude its investigation into the coach.
Michigan said in a statement Thursday: “This morning the university, Coach Harbaugh and the Big Ten resolved their pending lawsuits. The conference agreed to close its investigation, and the university and coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension.
“Coach Harbaugh, with the support of the university, decided to accept this sanction in order to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.”
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is serving a three-game suspension for the sign-stealing scandal
The Big Ten added: “Today’s decision by the University of Michigan to withdraw its legal challenge to the Conference’s November 10 notice of disciplinary action is indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the Trying to uphold the university.’
The NCAA has been investigating Michigan for allegedly sending former staffer Connor Stalion, and possibly other personnel, to opponents’ games to record video that would be used to decode their in-game signals.
The Big Ten announced last week that Harbaugh was banned from coaching on the sidelines until the postseason, finding the school “in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.”
Harbaugh may coach practices during the week.