ROSEMONT, Ill. — University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for the rest of the regular season amid investigations into alleged sign stealing.
Big 10: Harbaugh suspended for rest of regular season amid sign stealing investigation
The Big Ten Conference made the announcement Friday afternoon, saying the university violated the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy for its prohibited “scouting operation” that lasted years.
Harbaugh’s suspension takes immediate effect.
We’re told Harbaugh may still attend practice sessions and other activities outside of scheduled games.
The University of Michigan released the following statement in response to Harbaugh's suspension:
"Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered. Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference's own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner's rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation – one in which we are fully cooperating.
"Commissioner Petitti’s hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially. By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran’s Day – a court holiday – to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect."
READ MORE: Michigan responds to Big Ten, saying commissioner doesn't have discipline authority, AP sources say
