There is still a long way to go before the Michigan sign-stealing scandal is fully resolved, with an NCAA investigation underway. But on Friday, the Big Ten took the first steps to punish Michigan by suspending head coach Jim Harbaugh from in-game coaching for the remainder of the regular season.
Harbaugh will be banned from the sidelines for three games. However, he will be allowed to coach the Wolverines during the week, including formulating gameplans and running practice.
So it's a suspension, sort of, but not a full one. And the Big Ten left the punishment at that, so the Wolverines are still eligibile to play in the conference title game and they've retained their victories from this season with alleged sign-stealer Connor Stalions on the sideline.
While rival Big Ten fans were happy to see the conference do something to punish Michigan, they weren't over the moon about the extent of the punishment.
Iām so confused. I was told Harbaugh wouldnāt be suspended and Ryan Day is going to jail.
ā Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) November 10, 2023
Are you telling me random people on messages boards.. donāt know anything?
Michigan got off easy from the B10. Jesus.
ā Brutus Wayneā¢ (@BuckeyeBat) November 10, 2023
Michigan getting off with an absurdly light punishment and still demanding lawsuits and immediate injunctions is very on brand lol
ā Pat šøš (@Puffadda) November 10, 2023
Thatās it??? https://t.co/rEX4pkAVe5
ā Buckeye Realm (@BuckeyeRealm_) November 10, 2023
The fact that Michigan got caught cheating, which changed the outcome of games over the last 3 seasons and is still eligible for the College Football Playoff is absolutely absurd.
ā The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) November 10, 2023
People saying Michigan is being let off easy with this Harbaugh suspension aren't understanding that this is just the beginning of the process. There's still and entire investigation to unfold.
ā Mark (@TheYinzerLion) November 10, 2023
If Harbaugh is suspended for a second time this season for a second violation then wtf are we doing? Any other coach is canned.
ā Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) November 10, 2023
The rest of college football Twitter had some fun with the news.
Lane Kiffin was the first coach to be fired on a tarmac, Jim Harbaugh will be the first coach to be suspended by a conference on a tarmac.
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 10, 2023
Jim Harbaugh now has 3 Saturdays off to enjoy himself, maybe catch another Big Ten game.
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 10, 2023
When Jim Harbaugh is suspended again pic.twitter.com/DFwvOqBFOf
ā Jason Kirk (@JasonKirk_fyi) November 10, 2023
Michigan still has to face Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State before the end of the regular season. Saturday's game against the Nittany Lions is just hours away and short of an injunction preventing the Big Ten's punishment from taking effect, Harbaugh won't be on the sideline.
The Wolverines also aren't free and clear after this Harbaugh discipline either. This was simply the Big Ten punishing Michigan for violating the league's sportsmanship policy. The NCAA is currently investigating the alleged sign-stealing operation. Additional, potentially more drastic punishment could follow once that is concluded. That investigation is reportedly being fast-tracked to potentially wrap up before the end of the year.
So strap in, this story is only just beginning. There are more twists and turns to come as the lawyers and the NCAA get involved.