Coaching for Jim Harbaugh is going to be a lot harder this season.
The Big Ten just revealed its punishment for Harbaugh following the conference’s investigation into allegations of Michigan sending scouts to opposing games to steal signs.
The sports world has been bracing for a decision from the conference for weeks now. It was reported earlier today that the Big Ten would have a decision today.
That decision has finally been made.
The conference is suspending Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season, according to an announcement from the Big Ten. He’ll still be able to coach his team throughout the week, but he won’t be able to join them on the sideline for the final three regular-season games of 2023:
“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.”
…
“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. “
Some people thought this was too much. Some thought it wasn’t enough. Overall, here’s how college football fans reacted to the news.