University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for the remaining three games of the 2023 regular season after the Big Ten Conference uncovered that the Wolverines football program had conducted an impermissible in-person scouting operation over multiple years, violating the Big Ten sportsmanship policy.
As a consequence, Harbaugh’s suspension, specifically for alleged sign-stealing involving the program, includes missing Saturday’s game against Penn State. In his absence, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore filled in and led Michigan to a 24-15 victory over Penn State.
The Big Ten stated that Harbaugh could attend practices and other football team activities but was not allowed in the stadium on game days.
Sign-stealing involves gathering information on the signs a team uses to call offensive and defensive plays and is not prohibited under NCAA rules unless electronic communication is intercepted in-game. However, in-person scouting is explicitly outlawed by the rule book.
The conference clarified that the sanction was against the university and not a personal sanction against Coach Harbaugh. It also noted that additional disciplinary actions may be necessary or appropriate if more information about the extent and knowledge of the impermissible scheme emerges.
Following the Big Ten’s investigation announcement, Harbaugh denied that the program had illegally stolen signals and emphasized that he and his coaching staff would fully cooperate with the investigation.
The University of Michigan filed an emergency motion requesting a temporary restraining order against the Big Ten, challenging its decision to ban Harbaugh. The university expressed its disappointment at the Big Ten’s “rush to judgment” and criticized the decision to suspend Harbaugh before a thorough investigation had been conducted.
Michigan’s athletic director, Warde Manuel, condemned the Big Ten’s action as unethical and an assault on the rights of everyone to be judged by a fair and complete investigation.
In response, the Big Ten expressed its disappointment that Michigan had sought a temporary restraining order, suggesting a contentious dispute ahead.