Update: The conference has announced a 3-game suspension of Jim Harbaugh, though he may coach during the week. The full announcement:
The Big Ten Conference announced today that the University of Michigan has been found in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.
Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01 states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of the competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.”
As a penalty imposed on the institution, the University football team must compete without its Head Football Coach for the games remaining in the 2023 regular-season, effective immediately.
This disciplinary action shall not preclude the University or its football team from having its Head Football Coach attend practices or other football team activities other than the game activities to which it applies. For clarity, the Head Football Coach shall not be present at the game venue on the dates of the games to which this disciplinary action applies.
The Big Ten Conference will have no additional comment at this time.
The Big Ten has informed Michigan of plans to suspend Jim Harbaugh from coaching games through the end of the regular season Pete Thamel is reporting.
The news comes on the heels of the Big Ten informing Michigan of impending punishment after the conference joined forces with the NCAA to investigate evidence of illegal scouting by the Wolverines.
Sources: The Big Ten is expected discipline Michigan for the in the in-person scouting and ongoing sign stealing investigation and will prohibit Jim Harbaugh from being on the sideline until the conclusion of the regular season. He will be allowed to coach during the week.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 10, 2023
The Big Ten informed Michigan of impending punishment on Monday, to which both Michigan and Jim Harbaugh responded, arguing for the conference to wait until the NCAA's investigation was complete and that there was not sufficient evidence to move at this time.
Rival programs both within and outside the Big Ten came forward with proof of Stalions' network of associates attending games across the country over multiple years, a scheme that easily would have cost tens of thousands of dollars per year.
News of the investigation first broke on Oct. 19. The days and weeks since have been filled with a never-ending stream of speculation, posturing, reporting and conspiracy theorizing, but until now the only material consequence was the resignation of Connor Stalions, the former volunteer-turned-recruiting analyst who made service to Michigan football his life's work.
Michigan president Santa Ono pleaded with commissioner Tony Petitti for the conference to wait until after the season to levee a punishment, but Petitti had to weigh that against the rest of the conference arguing for a swift ruling against the Wolverines. Michigan has threatened legal action against the conference if the Big Ten moved before the NCAA rendered a verdict.
Harbaugh began the season on a self-imposed 3-game suspension due to alleged recruiting violations committed over the COVID recruiting shutdown. The resolution on that case is not expected until some time in 2024.
In the meantime, the third-ranked Wolverines visit No. 11 Penn State on Saturday (noon ET, Fox). A win in Happy Valley sets Michigan on a collision course with No. 1 Ohio State Nov. 25 in Ann Arbor in what would essentially be the Big Ten East championship game and a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.