sign stealing scandal type substance
jim harbaugh
[Paul Sherman]

Litigation Dropped, Michigan Suspends Harbaugh Comment Count

Seth November 16th, 2023 at 4:15 PM

It isn't justice, but the justice system, at least for the moment, is out of the process. Michigan agreed to suspend Harbaugh for three game days, which means he will not be on the sideline against Ohio State.

A Statement from the University of Michigan

"This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation.  The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension. Coach Harbaugh, with the University's support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.  The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations. The University continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation."

The Big Ten also issued a statement:

The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to student-athletes, sportsmanship and the Commissioner’s duty to protect the integrity of competition will never waver. Today’s decision by the University of Michigan to withdraw its legal challenge against the Conference’s November 10th Notice of Disciplinary Action is indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the University seek to uphold. The University of Michigan is a valued member of the Big Ten Conference and the Conference will continue to work cooperatively with the University and the NCAA during this process.

There are a lot of questions unanswered: Did Michigan roll over, learn more, or get something in return? Did the Big 10 threaten something else and what? How will this affect the NCAA investigation? How does this affect Harbaugh's contract negotiation? Most of all, will the conference continue to gin up penny-ante violations then gang up on Michigan every time the football team is good, and what does this mean for the conference's future and Michigan's commitment to it? How much will Harbaugh's absence affect them in what was already the most important football game ever?

There is no content after the jump because I have no answers.

Comments

The FannMan

November 16th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^

That’s possible.  But, doesn’t make their decision any better. Giving in to keep “it” quiet is going to back fire since trusting the Big not to leak seems, well, questionable.  So, they will lose the chance to back for their coach and team and “it “will leak anyway. Then, they will not be in the position to fight back against “it” because they have already implicitly admitted “it” is so bad they threw their undefeated football program under the bus.  They will not be able to fight another day  They conditionally surrendered and disarmed  

 

It’s also just as possible they never intended to go all the way.   Or lost nerve.  
 

Once you entered this fight you were committed.  Giving in without anything in return is a loss not a deal. 

Joined: 11/25/2008

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AlbanyBlue

November 16th, 2023 at 6:06 PM ^

The only thing that makes any sense at all is that something negative has come to light in the time since Jim said he's going to speak.

It's either:

  • Michigan has been informed by its lawyers that their TRO will be denied

OR 

  • Evidence of wider knowledge (it points to Clink at this point, given the X thing) has been discovered.

Otherwise the sequence of events makes no sense.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22410

KentuckianaWolverine

November 16th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^

I'm SOOOOO pissed over this.  Seriously.

Takes a bit of the fun out of this season.  Which should be one for the ages.

I'm also way less optimistic about the OSU game than I was just a few weeks ago.  Not saying we lose, but just not as optimistic about it.

Joined: 03/17/2016

MGoPoints: 3909

MarthaCook1977

November 16th, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^

Once we beat Penn State in State College without Harbaugh on the sidelines, we lost the argument that the suspension worked irreparable harm. Fortunately, he can and will coach the remaining non-sideline hours. The team will be fighting for him, the program, and their legacy. 

Joined: 09/26/2015

MGoPoints: 113

Yeoman

November 16th, 2023 at 6:30 PM ^

I had a similar thought.

The result of the game is just a single somewhat random event with no control; it doesn't prove anything, regardless.

But what was impressive, and surprising, was the lack of any line movement whatsoever as suspension news broke. The announcement of the suspension, of the lawsuit, of the fact that the TRO wasn't going to be granted in time if at all...none of it moved the line even half a point.

If I'd been arguing the other side of this I'd have been pounding that drum hard. This is the best expert testimony possible...and it indicates no measurable harm whatsoever. How can it possibly meet the bar for a restraining order?

Joined: 06/08/2011

MGoPoints: 21391

bluesparkhitsy…

November 16th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^

There are unanswered questions, but not the ones stated in this article.  Michigan very clearly got something in return: finality. Michigan's statement makes clear that this entirely resolves the Big Ten's investigation.  Recall the the suspension sought by the Big Ten was intended to represent only an immediate measure, and that they had said their investigation was ongoing.  They almost certainly would have sought postseason penalties or would have kept this going next year, seeking additional penalties along the way.  This puts an end to that.

When you hire a top law firm, you are doing so not only to beat up on your opponent, but also for their advice as to how to end up in the best place possible.  Very often, that is achieved through settlement.  Settlements are rarely satisfying.  You always feel like you lost more than you should have or gained less than you should have.  But if it's a good settlement, the other side feels the same way.

Joined: 10/16/2010

MGoPoints: 2441

25dodgebros

November 16th, 2023 at 6:44 PM ^

He gone.  Coached his last game at Michigan.  Even if they win out the Big 10  will not  let this admitted cheater win the championship.   Playoff guys now have the ammo to say, " Michigan admitted cheating and is out.  What pisses me off the most is that Michigan broke no rules and just agreed that they did.  I'm with Harbaugh.  I'm gone.  

Joined: 01/06/2011

MGoPoints: 1630

CTSgoblue

November 16th, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^

OSU is so lucky all the time or needs to tilt the odds.

—Tressel sends the K-9 unit on Carr’s team before the 2004 game

—Bo dies the day before the 2006 game

—Denard hurt before the 2012 game

—Corum hurt before the 2022 game

—Now no Harbaugh

Joined: 08/20/2014

MGoPoints: 5383

omahablue

November 16th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^

My take. The court appeal process was going to take longer than the three game suspension. The was no net gain by pressing forward, so Harbaugh thought it best to silence the noise and strengthen the resolve/focus on his team. 

Joined: 07/11/2008

MGoPoints: 1016

Stuntrooster

November 16th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^

Ugh. Hard to process how I truly feel about this. Honestly, I don’t think the NCAA gave much of a shit until the media firestorm came about. I still think they’ll go the route of show cause for Stallions, big fine to Michigan, some lengthy probation, and call it a day.

The B1G probably had more firepower and Michigan decided to save whatever face they have left after being mauled by everyone. If this was the best decision to protect the staff and the players, to give them the best shot at still achieving great things this season, reduce the potential for vacating wins and championships, then Michigan did what they thought was best for them. But, this better be it from the B1G. You’re calling this case closed, then it’s closed. I just don’t trust them…
 

But Michigan needs to seriously look elsewhere outside of the B1G to call home. The mob already proved they could make this happen once, and there is no way in hell they won’t try this shit again. 
 

I’m frustrated as hell. I know I’m going to cheer this team on like no other for the remainder of this season. But as far as the future goes, this has really zapped a lot out of me in regards to my love for college sports. 

 

Joined: 10/08/2022

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M-Dog

November 16th, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^

Let me get this straight . . . 

The Big Ten hands down a punishment:

Jim Harbaugh is suspended for 3 games.

Michigan hires the best sports lawyers in the nation, files for a TRO, and engages in intense negotiations with the Big Ten for days behind closed doors until a settlement is reached:

Jim Harbaugh is suspended for 3 games.

Yeah, they got something on us. 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

gasbro

November 16th, 2023 at 7:15 PM ^

God this is awful. Probably just damage control in the sense that BIG commissioner is in a position of power, and even though he has misused his power because he’s incompetent, it might be best to capitulate and avoid further misuse of power. It’s too fucking bad. If we manage to beat OSU then watch out and fuck all to anyone who questions this team’s accomplishments when they’ve been hamstrung by this nonsense 

Joined: 01/09/2012

MGoPoints: 2485

Shorty the Bea…

November 16th, 2023 at 7:19 PM ^

I am still confused how Bill Self suffered no consequences, and Kansas as well for an FBI investigation related to all kinds of literal illegal activity and M and Harbaugh agree to this.

In the words of Taggart (Blazing Saddles), "I am depressed."

But I suppose like Taggart that I am just a moron.

Joined: 02/14/2013

MGoPoints: 2713

wexgoblue

November 16th, 2023 at 7:20 PM ^

Is there a chance that JH said “if this is the way it’s going to be then F this, I’m not signing any extension.” Admin stopped pushing because what’s there to save?

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 152

nmwolverine

November 16th, 2023 at 7:21 PM ^

This could have been driven by legal predictions based on Big10 compliance with its governing docs, legal impenetrability of conference docs and inability to take away conference discretion.  That is what the law can often be about, NOT THE MERITS.  It might not be the merits.  Whatever you thought about the merits, stick with that.  What Stalions did was a stop sign and this is bullshit.  But that often happens in law.  85 grad.

Joined: 01/22/2009

MGoPoints: 1111

M-Dog

November 16th, 2023 at 7:52 PM ^

What in the world would make Michigan voluntarily and subserviently allow the suspension of its head coach for the biggest game of this century??

There has to be more going on here than just in-person scouting, or even in-person scouting that another coach knew about.  

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

ca_prophet

November 16th, 2023 at 8:51 PM ^

I don't think there is.  I think that Michigan's lawyers told them that the TRO wouldn't be granted in time for him to coach at OSU, whether because the hearing would be spun out or they were unlikely to prevail on the merits.  And if he's not going to coach against OSU, there's no point to continuing the suit.  

So this is Michigan looking at the writing on the wall and making the best deal they can.

Joined: 09/07/2010

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Um1994

November 16th, 2023 at 10:34 PM ^

I think you're on to something. Court proceedings are SLOW.  Hearing this Friday - no decision at the hearing - out for MD game. Judge's clerk researches next week - do they get a decision by OSU Saturday?  When I saw that the hearing wasn't until this Friday, my first thought was that we wouldn't have a decision until after the 3 games. What's the remedy after that?

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