Report: Jim Harbaugh suspension discussed by Big Ten ADs, commissioner
The Michigan Wolverines‘ alleged illegal scouting operation continues to draw strong reactions from around the country and in the Big Ten. Yahoo Sports is reporting that in the second call in a week with Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti, conference athletic directors continue to push for a ruling on the Michigan situation.
Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger say that “options have been discussed” that included a potential suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh under the league’s sportsmanship policy, which would bar him from 1-2 games if it went through. The league seems to want to take a route that does not push Michigan players directly.
However, a penalty too severe given the early nature of the NCAA’s investigation could trigger legal action from Michigan, the report states.
Here’s what Wetzel and Dellenger said on Thursday night:
However, a decision from the league is uncertain, though options have been discussed. On their calls over the last week in fact, high-level school administrators and Petitti have pored over a wide range of possibilities. There was talk, for instance, of any penalty not impacting players directly. A suspension of coach Jim Harbaugh may be the most likely and “cleanest” penalty if one were handed down, one source said.
Such a penalty from a conference is somewhat unprecedented and, if too severe, could eventually trigger legal action from the program, legal experts tell Yahoo Sports. Any Big Ten penalty is rooted in the conference’s sportsmanship policy, which allows for the commissioner to hand down disciplinary measures for violating the “integrity of competition” in the “competitive arena,” the policy says.
The policy was at the center of discussions last week between school leaders and Petitti. According to the policy, the commissioner can take disciplinary action that is considered “standard” or “major.”
Standard action includes a fine not exceeding $10,000 and a suspension of no more than two contests. Major action is anything exceeding those penalties and is subject to approval from the Big Ten executive board of presidents.
Big Ten coaches met with Petitti on Wednesday night and urged the league to take immediate action. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was on the call but left after pertinent business was handled, leaving the floor open to the rest of the league to weigh in on the situation.
Leagues typically wait for the NCAA enforcement to come down before taking their own action, but given the nature of the timeline for typical NCAA investigations, there seems to be some doubt they would handle it swiftly. Petitti has told Big Ten admins and coaches that he believes the NCAA is working much quicker this time around.
The investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing operation was opened two weeks ago on Oct. 19. U-M analyst Connor Stalions, who has been suspended with pay since Oct. 20, was named as the person of interest in the case due in large part to evidence that he purchased tickets to games of 12 of 13 Big Ten opponents over the last three seasons and other potential postseason opponents. The tickets were purchased in his own name and then transferred to others.
This week, Central Michigan University also opened up an investigation on a man resembling Stalions appearing on the sideline with a victors pass and team-issued gear for the Sept. 1 opener at Michigan State. No updates have been given on the state of their investigation.
Michigan returns to game action on Saturday night against the Purdue Boilermakers at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
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