Does the Big 10 have more action planned against Coach Harbaugh?
I'm still flying high from that dominating win yesterday. OSU has already seen the NFL-level passes that JJ makes, but yesterday they saw what our O-line did to the #2 rushing defense. OSU has the #22 rush defense. By playing that type of game, Michigan didn't put anything new on film for OSU to see.
But, as they say, celebrate for 24 hours then get back to work. I had some questions after reading the notice from the conference. This paragraph gave me pause:
The Conference recognizes that additional disciplinary actions may be necessary or appropriate if it receives additional information concerning the scope and knowledge of, or participation in, the impermissible scheme. (emphasis mine)
This is probably boilerplate material, but it makes me wonder if the conference doesn't intend to let Harbaugh coach again this season and will find some reason to keep him out of the championship game. Remember, the first suspension that was floated was an indefinite suspension. There's been such vindictiveness out of Pettiti and the B1G that I can't imagine they're done. With this notice, they made sure to point out that, despite punishing Harbaugh with a 3-game suspension, they weren't going after Harbaugh. They were punishing the position, which just happens to be Jim Harbaugh. Next will be punishing Harbaugh.
The NCAA cooperated with the conference, which, in itself, seems odd. It smacks of collusion and a targeted takedown of Harbaugh due to his stance on profit sharing with athletes. What are the odds that "evidence" is already queued up and waiting to be unveiled in time for the B1G championship game. If so, it brings up this question: Since neither the NCAA nor the B1G control the CFP, can they keep Harbaugh from coaching in the playoffs?
Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:49 PM ^
That's boilerplate. It just means if it turns out the scheme was much worse than they know of right now, they reserve the right to levy additional penalties. Seems reasonable to me.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^
Exactly. What it means is although our HC didnt know and all the evidence is from unnamed sources if anything is found that would be suspension worthy they could suspend more? Hopefully when the very first investigation is complete they dont have actual info to suspend. Can you imagine?
Also it would go in front of a panel of whoever we play in the playoffs so we are fine. Everything is fine.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^
Considering that they haven't produced evidence that shows the "scheme" is as bad as they say it was it wouldn't be much of a stretch to say that the BIG 10 is just doing what it feels like doing at this point. I mean you would think if they have a mountain of evidence that they would reveal some of it especially if they intend to skip investigation and go straight to punishment.
November 13th, 2023 at 6:17 AM ^
I believe it was in the letter the Big10 sent to UM about forthcoming disciplinary action that they had irrefutable evidence of coordinated in person scouting scheme by a staff member,Stallions.And that others on staff knew what he was doing. Do you really think they would go through all this trouble without a reason? This isn’t just bad for UM it’s a bad look for the whole conference. The last thing the Big10 wants to do is suspend one of their #1 brands in the country.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
Will the NCAA recognize the BIG’s suspension if they levy a penalty of their own? Kind of like time served?
November 12th, 2023 at 7:24 PM ^
...so apparently the Honey Badger does care
November 12th, 2023 at 7:48 PM ^
That clause shouldn’t be a problem, as long as the B1G is operating in good faith. So yeah, I’m a little concerned. You can’t spell “petty tyrant” without “Pettiti.”
November 12th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
Standard boilerplate for any penalty handed out before an investigation. If it’s worse, there may be more penalties. If it’s less, then…
November 12th, 2023 at 4:49 PM ^
I don’t honk the Bog Ten can keep him from coaching in the playoffs correct? That would be up to the NCAA. Also I believe there’s going to be push back from fox to get Jim back on the sidelines for OSU!
November 12th, 2023 at 5:56 PM ^
The NCAA has no authority over the CFP, they are their own entity
November 12th, 2023 at 6:27 PM ^
I don't feel like honking the Bog Ten much these days either.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:47 PM ^
But how about bobo?
November 12th, 2023 at 4:50 PM ^
I’m sure there will be something. Drip drip bullshit
November 12th, 2023 at 8:52 PM ^
I think that there’s a very minimal possibility of additional stuff coming out. OSU threw everything they had at the wall and the NCAA hasn’t found anything else - otherwise the Big 10 would have included those new preliminary findings as additional reason to punish Michigan.
If I had to bet, Stalions is the only thing they have.
The real drip drip is more likely to come from Michigan publishing their Burn Book contents regarding the rest of the conference.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:52 PM ^
If Michigan fails to get the TRO/Injunction I suspect Harbaugh will be suspended for the Big Ten Championship game (assuming they win the East without Harbaugh) and then they would attempt to suspend him for the bowl/CFP semifinal. I actually don't think the Big Ten has any way to actually suspend him for CFP games though as those are actually not NCAA games.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^
I think this is the crux of the open ended threat. We still plan to suspend Coach James (Jim) Harbaugh for the Big 10 Championship game. Jay Harbaugh is safe, momentarily.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:08 PM ^
It just seems insanely stupid to suspend a team who would be in the playoffs. Isn't that just taking away a boatload of money away from the conference?
November 12th, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
What makes anyone think the B1G has the authority to suspend Harbaugh from any Michigan home game? They aren't following conference rules. We should ignore their orders, and it's not like Big House security is going to be on their side in any disagreement.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
We have no way of knowing. They've already thrown a century of precedent out the window, and acted incredibly unprofessionally in the process, so why trust them to be finished now? The NCAA investigation isn't finished.
All that's changed is that OSU, MSU and others have learned they can bully Pettiti into doing their will.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
Ahem, you mean bullying without two L's.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:16 PM ^
Only a small chance that will turn out to be anything but I hope Kroll has that little tidbit just in case.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
At this point I wouldn't put it past them to suspend him for forgetting to zip his fly.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
I think this is something they just say as part of the language, but I have to think that there is a possibility that the Big Ten blinks long before Michigan does in this fight too, so I am personally doubtful that they would heap anything else on at this point. Still, Petitti could surprise us all.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:17 PM ^
He already surprised the fuck out of me by that stunt on Friday.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
I think you are correct which is all the more reason why we need to explore leaving the conference ASAP. We will NEVER get fair treatment from the league going forward.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^
Only way I see the relationship being repaired if Pettiti being axed. Dude is in way over his head and clearly doesnt have the chops to run this league
November 12th, 2023 at 5:51 PM ^
I dunno. If the ADs and coaches all ganged up on us, this is far deeper than a single idiot leader.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
I don't believe that they ALL did, but enough did to embolden Tipetti to assume dictatorial powers. That alone poisons the well irreparably.
There are reports that the UM Regents discussed the possibility of life outside the Big Ten, though obviously not to the extent that it has become part of the public record.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
Claim breach of contract. Sue for damages. Go independent in 2024 or 2025.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:04 PM ^
This is my question here: how does Michigan not have ANY friends among the other 13 teams?
November 12th, 2023 at 5:58 PM ^
I don't know...Never underestimate the enemy. He was able to manipulate, screwed us with late, bogus filing and stopped TRO for yesterday's game.
It is a war right now.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:12 PM ^
I don’t know either …….that’s all
November 12th, 2023 at 6:07 PM ^
I also believe the B0G is highly likely to try and levy additional penalties against Michigan.
If the B0G goes down that path, I believe it is imperative that Michigan does not pass GO, does not collect $200, but immediately walks from the B0G on principle.
Michigan has the attorneys and analysts available to figure out how to unwind the existing TV contracts.
I think the best short and medium-term landing pad for Michigan is the ACC. On the athletics side, that would add more cachet to the basketball program, and on the academic side Michigan would be in a conference that has more stronger legal, medical, and business programs than the B0G.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:56 PM ^
Every thought that comes to your mind does not need to become a board thread.
The chances that anyone who knows the answer to the question you’re asking would post it here are zero.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:58 PM ^
Michigan should leave the Big Ten and form a super league with the SEC. Doing this hurts both the NCAA and the BIG.
Let due process happen. That did not. It would be financially impactful.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
100 percent agree
November 12th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
Planned? Who knows? But escalating from a 2-game to 3 with approval of the executive committee suggests that they're done.
November 13th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
has it been confirmed that the EC voted to approve this? or is it just assumed because that's what league rules say has to happen?
I was under the impression that the EC vote is supposed to be public info, but i haven't read that the Committee was convened for such action. maybe i missed a memo?
November 12th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
If they suspend him for the Championship Game, poor Iowa. I know Ferentz wasn't on the infamous coaches/Petitti call.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
I definitely believe this was a coordinated takedown attempt of coach Harbaugh the reason your detailing is as good as any I’ve heard.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
Let me translate:
"We're making shit up on the fly, and we'll continue to make up more shit on the fly if we choose to"
November 12th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
Exactly! And they couldn't announce a suspension for the conference championship game because we haven't finished demolishing the league yet.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
If we make the BTCG, I fully expect those unprofessional clowns to announce Harbaugh's suspension during the opening kickoff, to ESPN who will not actually be covering the game.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
Someone is going to write a great book about this someday.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
And I'll rank that book 2.7/5 on Amazon.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:05 PM ^
It's a conditional, and your emphasis left out the condition if it receives additional information concerning the scope and knowledge of, or participation in, the impermissible scheme. No further punishment unless there a major revelations about Harbaugh or program involvement in the scouting.
NCAA isn't an adversary of the B10, it was very normal for them to share findings with the B10. It was Petitti's actions after receiving the evidence without any adherence to process that was bizarre and ridiculous. If he had wanted to do more, he would've. This is it for now.
If the NCAA wants to take Harbaugh down, that will come later after they complete their investigation, no need to "collude" with the B10 and rush it. NCAA will not take any action this year. UM has 90 days to respond to a notice of allegations and, unlike the B10, the NCAA has not shown any signs that they will completely ignore their own rule books.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
Except the commissioner, per B1G rules, has the ability to unilaterally consider, interpret, and weigh evidence to inform decisions and dictate punishment. This was referenced in their response. So if Petitti reads something in the Weekly World News about Harbaugh being psychically linked to Conor Stalions, he is empowered to dole out punishment as he sees fit. This is our concern, Dude.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:23 PM ^
Yep, and I think further punishment without developments around wider program involvement is unlikely and so concerns should be low (unless you suspect wider program involvement).
November 12th, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^
Except if this statement from the B1G’s response to Warde is to be believed:
”Neither the Conference Handbook nor the Sportsmanship Policy defines “evidence” or requires that the Commissioner rely on any specific form of evidence in order to make a determination. And the Policy certainly does not require that any such evidence meet the legal standards for admissibility at trial, as the University contends in its response. Univ. Resp. at 7. To the contrary, Section 10.2.1 of Policy expressly provides that, in determining whether an offensive action occurred, the Commissioner may consider “any evidence that he or she deems relevant,” and “may accept any information provided by any source.” Id. § 10.2.1.”
Then any piece of information -regardless of whether it’s actually pertinent to this issue at all- from any source can be “deemed relevant” to support the existence of additional impermissible actions which can be used to pile on. Given the sheer absurdity of the punishment to begin with, I would not be surprised at all if additional bullshit were pulled out of a hat for literally any nonsensical excuse for a reason. We should assume he has unlimited political capital among our rivals to bury Michigan based on what we’ve seen so far.
November 12th, 2023 at 6:58 PM ^
The idea that there is no need for evidence is disproven by the fact that the word evidence is there. You may consider any evidence but sane people act on relevant evidence and on a good day the act on proof. There is no point in having a contract and contracts are generally void if the relationship is so one sided. Thank you for joining the Big 10 Conference now prepare to bend over as we are going to be irrational and rob you of significant revenue.