Jim Harbaugh suspension ‘likely’ but Michigan ‘not bringing knives to a gun fight’
According to reports, a suspension is likely coming for Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh. We also know what the response will be.
It seems like the Big Ten is determined to suspend Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh despite the 10-page response sent by the University of Michigan on Wednesday.
Yahoo Sports reported on the 10-page letter, as well as an eight-page letter from Harbaugh’s attorney, Tom Mars, which sent the signal that Michigan football will take the Big Ten to court if the league decides to act this week.
According to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, even with the revelation that Purdue, Rutgers, and Ohio State were all engaged in collusion to steal and swap signs, a Jim Harbaugh suspension is still likely and Balas notes it could be a “long suspension.”
The school's general counsel, board of regents, and white-shoe law firm Williams & Connolly helped craft the letter. When asked about bringing in outside counsel the source said: "Yeah, we're not bringing a knife to a gun fight."
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) November 9, 2023
Dan Murphy of ESPN confirmed the report. He also reported that Michigan has hired Williams & Connolly which helped craft the letter. On the hiring, the source who confirmed it to ESPN said, “Yeah, we’re not bringing a knife to a gun fight.”
There was also a shot across the bow to the rest of the Big Ten from Michigan football according to a portion of the letter sent to the Big Ten on Wednesday via Ross Dellenger.
"“The conference should act cautiously when settling precedent given the reality that in-person scouting, collusion among opponents, and other questionable practices may well be far more prevalent than believed.”"
Michigan with a warning to the Big Ten in its letter: "The conference should act cautiously when setting precedent given the reality that in-person scouting, collusion among opponents, and other questionable practices may well be far more prevalent than believed.”
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 8, 2023
Tom Mars and Michigan football also pointed out that if Ohio State, Rutgers, and Purdue were able to acquire Michigan’s signals through legal means — it’s not hard to see how Jim Harbaugh could have believed that Connor Stalions was using the same legal means to do so.
According to a Yahoo Report, the NCAA has found no connection between Jim Harbaugh and the alleged plot Stalions ran to in-game scout other teams.
I’ve made my argument as to why in terms of the Big Ten’s sportsmanship rule, there isn’t any difference between what Michigan football and other Big Ten teams are accused of doing.
So I’m not going to be surprised if Michigan and Jim Harbaugh at least get an injunction that would allow him to finish the season. The Big Ten is acting beyond the status quo and not adhering to Big Ten by-laws in the process.
dark. Next. Previewing Michigan football vs. Penn State
The next two days will be interesting but I don’t see Jim Harbaugh missing any games this season.