MICHAEL ARBOR, MI Following the game, Jim Harbaugh took some time to appreciate Saturday’s victory over Purdue and quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s performance before departing from Michigan’s postgame news conference.
With his fist clenched over his heart, Harbaugh exclaimed, “Man, it’s special to watch.” Then he gathered his belongings, went outside to say hello to his family, and went down a short hallway behind athletic director Warde Manuel. It was uncertain how long Harbaugh would have to lead this specific Michigan team when he departed the stadium on Saturday night.
Tony Petitti, the commissioner of the Big Ten, visited Ann Arbor on Friday to discuss the scouting and sign-stealing controversy that has enraged rival universities and placed Michigan in the center of a firestorm with school officials. The NCAA’s investigation into possible rule infractions involving Michigan assistant Connor Stalions, who quit on Friday, was initially given priority by the Big Ten. But with little chance that the NCAA investigation would be finished before the season concludes, pressure has grown on Petitti to use his commissionership to punish the Wolverines during the season.
Even though Harbaugh has denied knowing anything about the purported scouting operation, he might still face consequences. Whether or not a head coach is aware of rule violations occurring in his program, the NCAA has the authority to discipline him.
In calls with Petitti last week, Big Ten coaches and athletic directors expressed their displeasure with Michigan’s alleged actions and pushed him to take action against the Wolverines. A lot of these officials felt that suspending Harbaugh would be the most suitable possible punishment. “Everyone is upset,” a coach confided in The Athletic. “Why aren’t we taking any action?”
According to several conference sources, the most likely punishment for Petitti if he were to act against Michigan would be a head coach suspension. The Big Ten is unlikely to issue a postseason penalty for the same reason that the NCAA has shifted away from penalizing athletes who did not breach any rules.
What would be the duration of Harbaugh’s possible suspension is unknown. In the upcoming days, Ann Arbor and other conference school officials anticipate clarity. Petitti, a rookie commissioner up against his toughest obstacle to date, will have to make a difficult and unlikely to be widely applauded choice.
