Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Suspended from Attending Final Big 10 Games

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will not attend the remaining Big Ten games this year, the conference said.

“The Big Ten Conference announced today that the University of Michigan has been found to have violated the Big Ten Rules of Sportsmanship for conducting an illegal personal scouting operation over multiple years that resulted in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of the competition,” the organization announced Friday. .

Michigan Big 10.

Icon Sportswire via AP

That means Harbaugh, 59, will have to sit out the final three conference games of this football season. The announcement follows a weeks-long NCAA investigation into the head coach over the theft of the sign.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will donate his bonuses to sports employees affected by the pandemic

“The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromising any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include the integrity of the competition, civility to all and respect, especially for opponents and officials,” continued Friday’s statement.

According to the Big Ten, because of Harbaugh’s punishment, the University of Michigan football team “must compete without its head football coach for the remaining games of the 2023 regular season, effective immediately.”

The Michigan Wolverines players are lined up on the line of scrimmage.

Icon Sportswire via AP

However, all hope is not lost for college athletes. Although the head coach cannot attend the games, he can still help his team prepare by being present at practices or other football team activities.

On October 30, Harbaugh spoke at a news conference where he addressed the media about the sign theft scandal for the first time since the investigation was made public in mid-October.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Wolverines head coach began by making it clear that he would not be able to go into detail about the case, which is under active investigation, but said he is still working with the university despite reports that his coaching contract offer has been withdrawn.

“The team is refreshed, I’m refreshed,” Harbaugh said. “A chance to spend time with the families after a pretty good week of practice last week, we got some things done. We’re in advanced mode. So to answer your question specifically, I’m modeling a one-sided mind, and I see that throughout the program.”

When news of the investigation first broke, the former quarterback released a statement that he planned to “cooperate fully.”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

“I want to make it clear that I and my staff will cooperate fully with the investigation of this matter,” Harbaugh said on Oct. 19. “I have no knowledge or information about the illegal theft of the University of Michigan football program. signals, nor did I direct any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting mission.”

He continued to maintain his innocence in the case.

“I don’t know that anyone from our staff did that or managed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization I’ve run during my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been within the rules. In accordance with NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment while this investigation is ongoing.”

Michigan will play Penn State in Pennsylvania on Saturday at noon.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education