Report: New NCAA evidence made Michigan 'shift its tone' on defending Jim Harbaugh from suspension

Michigan vowed to defend Harbaugh and to fight to keep him on the sideline this season. But the school and Harbaugh agreed to the Big Ten’s ban.

Michigan doesn’t need to worry about the Big Ten. But it should be worried about the NCAA.

NCAA has new evidence on Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal

Per ESPN's Dan Murphy, Adam Rittenberg and Pete Thamel, Michigan agreed to Harbaugh’s ban as more evidence was brought to its attention including the suggestion that a "university booster helped fund" Stalions' scheme.. The school "received evidence" that linebackers coach Chris Partridge tried to tamper with an investigation into the sign-stealing scandal:

"After striking a consistently defiant stance and pursuing litigation last Friday, Michigan withdrew its legal complaint the night before a scheduled hearing on Thursday and accepted the Big Ten’s full three-game suspension of Harbaugh.

"Sources told ESPN that university leadership this week has shifted its tone from the stern rebuke of the league’s sanctions to a growing acceptance that the football program might be dealing with significant NCAA infractions that could include a failure to properly monitor the program on Harbaugh’s part.”

Jim Harbaugh accepted punishment for a reason

The report stated no evidence had been produced Harbaugh was directly involved with the scandal. But he faces collateral damage in the fallout.

Michigan is sobering up to how deep this scandal runs. Harbaugh might not have signed off on the pre-scouting, but Partridge’s role in tampering with the investigation is troubling for the head coach. Harbaugh appears either aloof in managing the program or the program is very good at protecting him.

Michigan’s administration knows what’s coming, and that’s why they allowed Harbaugh to take his punishment.