Report: Timetable set for Big Ten response to Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, updated potential punishment
The Big Ten is reportedly preparing a notice of disciplinary action against the Michigan Wolverines football program and head coach Jim Harbaugh ahead of the team’s trip to Penn State on Friday. According to an updated timeline from CFB insider Heather Dinich, the notice could come out before or even while the team is en route to State College.
“Sources indicate that the Big Ten will give Michigan a response early this afternoon,” Dinich said on Get Up. “Michigan leaves at 1 p.m., they’ll fly mid-afternoon… Last night, Michigan sources indicated to me and my colleague that they had not had any communication with the Big Ten and there still has not been evidence presented to Michigan that Jim Harbaugh knew, orchestrated any of this, or lied.”
“The Big Ten, we’ve learned has considered the gamut of punishments,” she continued. “Now, we’re hearing this morning, it could be a three-game suspension, which would be significant and it could start this weekend.”
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Among the “gamut” of possible punishments for Michigan, Dinich described a possible indefinite suspension, a two-year suspension, or even a simple public reprimand. Another form of punishment could be financial, including fines of up to $1 million or more.
Get Up host Mike Greenberg clarified with Dinich that a suspension for Harbaugh could mean he has to miss the Wolverines’ next three games. They play the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Maryland Terrapins, then finally, No. 1 Ohio State.
“It’s certainly possible,” Dinich said. “My understanding is that the Big Ten isn’t concerned about Michigan’s travel plans. They’ll release news when they deem fit and when they are ready.”
Big Ten punishment separate from NCAA
The Big Ten is expected to punish Harbaugh under the conference’s sportsmanship policy. It has been reported that with executive board approval, a suspension could be longer than two games under that policy. However, it would need that approval.
It has also been reported by Dinich that the Big Ten has not started its own investigation into the Michigan program. However, the conference does believe it has the evidence needed to move forward.
“Now, there are two separate things going on here. One, the NCAA is doing its own investigation. My understanding is that the Big Ten has not initiated its own investigation. It’s relying on information it has gathered from the NCAA, in part, and following other reports that have come out,” Dinich said.
Ahead of the Big Ten announcing a punishment for the Michigan program, a group of bipartisan legislators in Michigan sent a letter to conference commissioner Tony Petitti, asking for due process.
“It is essential that the Big Ten Conference not take any disciplinary action against the University of Michigan until the final results of its own or, more appropriately, the NCAA investigation are officially announced. Should those results demonstrate misconduct, an appropriate punishment should be imposed. In the meantime, the players and coaches should be free to continue to participate in the game that they love without being punished with premature or unsubstantiated sanctions,” the letter read in part.
On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this report.