Short, Non-Substantive Update on The TRO Hearing
Mates,
I contacted the Court today to get some specifics on the case logistics.
1. Hearing is set for Friday @ 0900 hrs in front of Judge Connors
2. A little birdie told me that Connors grew up in AA, played high school FB, is a good dude, but horrendous at hoops.
3. It is an 'in person' hearing and the Court is not going to 'Zoom' the hearing.
Wish I had more to report, but at least some of the details are confirmed. I don't think you have to wear maize and blue glasses on to see how insane the B10's treatment of our school and coach has been. I hope there is an equally severe (but just) result in our favor. Fear and jealousy should not rule civilized society and particularly the law.
XM
November 13th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
Thank you for the update.
Calling for direct info seems like a good idea instead of relying on social media.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
no worries. i'm in that line of work and it is an easy thing that i thought folks would want to know.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
November 13th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
in all seriousness
1) thank you
2) I suspect media types will use your post for their own update on the hearing
November 13th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Wonder if media get priority of seating. Or they have to go early to secure a spot as general public.
November 13th, 2023 at 4:38 PM ^
As long as Pete Thamel gets locked out of the courthouse.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
If I borrowed an expensive suit, showed up, and just acted like I belong there, do you think they'd let me stay?
November 13th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
Hire Stallions instead
November 13th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
Only one way to find out! I know that Mgoblog would appreciate the attempt (along with live updates hehe)
November 13th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
just wear your uniform, general.
kidding aside, courts in our country are open to the public, it is one of the bed rock principals put in place by the founders. it'll be first come, first served and i'm sure getting a seat will be tough.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
The B1G wants the truth?
November 13th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
Court proceedings are typically open to the public.
You're fine to show up and sit quietly as long as you don't try to record the proceedings on your cell phone (which I believe constitutes impermissible in-person scouting).
November 13th, 2023 at 3:04 PM ^
Nice one trustBlue. Spit out my beer it was so funny.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
Beer? I want your life!
November 13th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
They would let you stay even without the expensive suit. The bigger question will be whether you get a spot in the court room. For the higher profile matters you might need to show up kinda early, like before the court even opens. Treat it like Black Friday shopping and you'll probably get to watch. TBH if I were near AA I probably would camp out. As an attorney myself, this hearing ranks pretty high on my "must see" list.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Hi-viz vest, clipboard, and ladder. Get in anywhere.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^
A coworker and I once got into a Big 3 secure design center using essentially that tactic. At some point we were told we weren't supposed to be there. My coworker immediately responded with we're from *redacted*, we can go anywhere'. It immediately called to mind 'Pros from Dover', from MASH, I almost burst out laughing but damned if it didn't work.
We had legitimate business in the facility, just maybe not in that area. I recall it every time a situation like this is mentioned.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:28 PM ^
Use a disguise, it worked for Stalions.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
Dude, this is more substantive than 90% of the crap out there, don't sell yourself short.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
i know, i'm a tremendous slouch
November 13th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
So we should have a decision before the team flight takes off?
November 13th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
I expect that the decision will largely be made before oral argument even takes place. It is possible that he could rule on the TRO before the parties even leave the courtroom. Frankly I think the lawyers will be able to tell what is likely to happen from the briefing alone.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
i mentioned this earlier in the day, but the short answer is there is no way to know.
on the one hand, many courts will rule from bench at the conclusion of a given hearing. on the other hand, given the enormity of the case and the intense and high-level legal work, i would expect a written opinion. i also expect that the judge's judicial clerk is already working on the bare bones outline of his decision, basic law, cases cited and some analysis, but assumedly no decision since he'll let the bad guys have their say, too.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:30 PM ^
+1. To quote Bacon, "no one knows anything." It wouldn't shock me at all to see the Judge reserve on the decision and issue a written decision during the lead up to the Ohio State game.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
likely or unlikely the decision is made in time for Maryland ?
November 13th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
The big 10 lawyers have probably been instructed to throw as much shit as possible at the Judge so that the judge has to take hours considering their nonsense. Is a judge going to pull an all-nighter so a multimillionaire can coach a football game? I just hope he’s reinstated for OSU.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
99% of the time judges spot nonsense very easily and do not consider it all.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
Appreciate the info. Glad it's early in the day.
November 13th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
It still gnaws at me that the University and its athletic department has been treated with utter contempt by its own conference, up to an including Jim Harbaugh having to find out about his own suspension on social media, which probably means that, at that juncture, the University had not been officially notified, which I am sure would have been their cue to break the news. Unbelievable treatment of one of the flagship institutions of the Big Ten.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
100%. and i'm told also that michigan is actively looking to make changes, e.g., change conferences
November 13th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
First off, thank you for your updates. They've been spot on, as far as I can remember.
I just can't imagine Michigan leaving the B1G. Not saying it would never happen, it's just a concept that I just cannot fathom.
November 13th, 2023 at 6:22 PM ^
What the Big Ten did was unconscionable. They deliberately tried to submarine Michigan’s ability to compete. The raison d’etre of the Big Ten is for universities to compete on equal terms overseen by an objective authority that doesn’t take sides and conducts itself in an impartial manner.
It suffices to say that the Big Ten has failed this most elemental part of the compact between it and Michigan. I don’t know if breach of contract applies here, but it’s well worth a look.
Fuck the Big Ten.
November 14th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
I don't disagree with you, B1G messed up B1G time. Not sure how in the world you would go after your cash cow like that? No due process? No logical steps to try and help in any way possible? The new commissioner is dumb.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
Interesting. Changing conferences would be a good idea if your source is correct. How confident are you that the source is truly in the know?
November 13th, 2023 at 4:43 PM ^
This is the second person that has said as much. I forget the other poster, but that particular source once worked in the AD and was still connected to Michigan. The poster said his source indicated that there was "discussion" on leaving. Obviously we don't know if it was just blowing off steam or it's a real thought. I find it interesting that here is another source saying similar. Sounds like it might possibly be getting some legs.
November 13th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
I think the ACC with ND could be a real possibility. I don’t know what ND would think about it but it would make a hell of a splash. FSU, Clemson, NC all have good programs, Duke is getting a lot better. Michigan and ND would make for a very good conference. It would eliminate the time zone changes that are going to mess with teams going out west to play. With all of the realignment going on, now would be the time to do it. If bridges could be salvaged with OSU Michigan could schedule them OOC. At this point I would. The BIG has been screwing Michigan since Harbaugh got here and I think they should get out of dodge.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:35 PM ^
If there had been any doubt in my mind about this Harbaugh finding out that way would change view. I'm not sure who could think that was acceptable or advisable.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
I hope they also bring up the fact that initially the BIG was pushing for a 2 game suspension, but changed it to 3 for some reason. There was no new evidence so not sure why they increased the punishment 50%.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^
Perhaps when Petitti asked Ono to suspend Harbaugh for 2 games, it included the whole week as well. Big Ten could argue this is less punitive than that, in their view. That's assuming this is even something that would get weighed in court.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
Pretty obvious that the commissioner got it in his head that this was highly illegal and gave us a massive advantage. He couldn't get past that and looked for any and all reasons to come down this hard on us. If he would've stepped back and looked at all the facts, commentary, discussed sign stealing with others, etc, then this wouldn't have happened. It's like most other things these days, react first then think later.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Well, he was told by all our rivals and haters that it gave us a massive advantage - and he found that unbiased opinion to be credible.
How else could Michigan ever be good enough to beat OSU?!
November 13th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
I find the vast majority of people transitioning into a new, high profile job want or need to make a splash or put their stamp on the organization.
This dude isn’t an exception. Poor judgement, but simply “if it’s not broken, break it” management styles have been seen before (too soon?).
November 13th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
Gonna need Stallions to go to Connors house to record him playing hoops.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
Is it true that the judge played for Bo in 1972? I saw something on the bird app saying that a guy with the judges name was on michigan's roster for a year
November 13th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
that it was this particular connors might be more rumor than truth, but i don't know that personally.
November 13th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
I also just read a statement from Coach Harbaugh saying he will be at the hearing and he plans on talking
"I'm going to talk on Friday," Harbaugh said. "I'm just looking forward to that opportunity -- due process. I'm not looking for special treatment, not looking for a popularity contest, just looking for the merit of what the case is."
And then in typical Harbaugh fashion he followed that up with with this gem:
"I've always felt like it'd be cool to get up there and thunder away at a jury like Tom Cruise in 'A Few Good Men' or be a judge. Alas, I did not go to law school," he said. "This will be the first time I've ever really been in this situation."
November 13th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
Yeah, if I’m repping coach I want him nowhere near this hearing…
November 13th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
I couldn't agree more.
In addition, it's the conduct of the Big Ten that's the only thing before the court in this hearing. Harbaugh has very little that's relevant to add Friday.
November 13th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^
Maybe his lawyers want him to keep a low profile, but I respect the fact that it is his (Harbaugh's) name that is being dragged through the mud, not the lawyers. He has every right to defend himself in court. I do hope, though, that his lawyers can keep him focused.