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College football world reacts to Jim Harbaugh suspension

Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

College football world reacts to Big Ten's suspension of Jim Harbaugh

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/11/23

On Friday, the Michigan sign-stealing scandal took a dramatic turn with the news that the Big Ten had suspended Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for the remainder of the regular season for the program's alleged involvement. At the same time, the school has promised to take legal action against the conference in response.

Unsurprisingly, the latest developments provoked a passionate response from the college football world.

Most criticized the Big Ten's decision to hand down punishment on Friday afternoon of a federal holiday, Veteran's Day. While a report claims that delayed documents "pushed" the Big Ten's announcement back, the timing is curious, coming less than 24 hours before Michigan will take the field to battle No. 10 Penn State.

Also, regardless of what the NCAA officially decides on all this, the Big Ten keeping Michigan fully in the dark, then dropping a three-game suspension at 3:45 pm on a federal holiday Friday 20 hours before a top-10 road matchup is an all-time punk move. https://t.co/AKjT51QFm7
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 10, 2023

The Big Ten announcing its suspension of Jim Harbaugh just before 4:00 p.m. as Michigan is flying to face a top-10 team on the road says it all.
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) November 10, 2023

The Big Ten choosing to leak this punishment while Michigan is on a plane to Happy Valley is so cowardly. The new Big Ten commissioner looks hilariously silly in all of this.

Michigan people hate him now. The rest of the Big Ten thinks he’s weak. Good start, sir. Good start.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) November 10, 2023

Big Ten worried about Michigan's “competitive advantage” w/sign-stealing allegations, yet the league suspending a head coach less than 24 hours before kickoff isn’t a big “competitive advantage” for Penn State? Major lack of leadership by B1G
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 10, 2023

1. They didn't suspend Harbaugh because they knew they couldn't. They claim they are punishing Michigan by not allowing him to coach.
2. The timing of this is unacceptable by the Big Ten, which goes to Michigan's entire argument.

He'll be coaching on Saturday.
— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) November 10, 2023

Meanwhile, others were more vocal about the Big Ten's handling of the investigation or reveled in the coming legal battle and its potential repercussions.

Would be surprised if Michigan doesn’t strongly consider leaving the Big Ten if Tony Petitti remains commissioner.
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 10, 2023

Big Ten and Tony Petitti are an embarrassment.

If Michigan broke rules, they deserve punishment.

They also deserve due process.

Zero percent a fair investigation was done in two weeks.

This was done to appease the 13 other Big Ten schools and look good in public

EMBARRASSING
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 10, 2023

Tony Petitti actually waited all the way until Michigan's plane took off for Penn State to suspend Jim Harbaugh.

That won't help the Big Ten in court, nor will their lack of evidence against Harbaugh.

Expect a court injunction swiftly and for Harbaugh to be coaching tomorrow.
— Trevor Woods (@WoodsFootball) November 10, 2023

This is no longer the Big Ten vs. Michigan.

This is Sidley & Austin vs. Williams & Connolly.#ThereWillBeLawyers
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) November 10, 2023

People want Tony Petitti to suspend Haurbaugh today which would do absolutely nothing.

Michigans lawyers would immediately file a preliminary injunction.

Then scared, Penn state and the rest of the big ten would have to play Michigan with Haurbaugh on the field.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) November 10, 2023

From University of Michigan response to Big Ten:

"We intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect."

See ya on the sidelines tomorrow, Coach Harbaugh!
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) November 10, 2023

The Big Ten announced Harbaugh's suspension, ruling that Michigan had violated the conference's Sportsmanship Policy for conducting illegal in-person scouting of opponents over multiple years. According to the Big Ten, the punishment was for the program's involvement and not because of what Harbaugh knew or did regarding the situation. Michigan responded, intending to seek a court order, along with Harbaugh, in order to prevent any action against the head coach.

This is seemingly only the beginning of what could be a long and messy battle between Michigan and the Big Ten. The NCAA is also engaged in its own investigation into the matter, meaning further discipline for the program and perhaps Harbaugh could be on the way.

While Friday saw a significant development in matters, the next is potentially right around the corner – whether or not Harbaugh will be coaching on the sidelines for Michigan on Saturday.

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