Jim Harbaugh update: Decision on Michigan coach’s suspension

Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sideline for the Michigan football team as it plays the final two games of the 2023 college football regular season after the Wolverines and their head coach agreed to accept the Big Ten’s three-game suspension amid the conference’s probe into sign-stealing allegations.

Harbaugh was suspended for last week’s game at Penn State, but the school was scheduled to request a temporary restraining order for him to return to the field for the final two games. Instead, the school will accept the punishment and not have the hearing that was scheduled for this week.

In exchange, the Big Ten agreed to end its investigation into Michigan on the allegations surrounding former assistant Connor Stalions and the sign-stealing claims. And it would appear to end the possibility of any future penalty from the Big Ten.

Moreover, the Big Ten said that “it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement with the allegations.”

“This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation,” Michigan said in a statement on Thursday.

“The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension. Coach Harbaugh, with the University’s support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.

The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations. The University continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation.”