Here is how Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh may return

Today, with massive top-10 battles against Penn State and Ohio State still remaining on the schedule, the Big Ten suspended long-time Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh. Soon after, the school announced that it plans to start a legal battle over the decision, meaning as soon as this evening, things are going to court. Here is how the Wolverines plan to get Harbaugh back on the sidelines this fall.

Here is how Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh may return to the sidelines this fall

As of right now, Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is not allowed on the Wolverines’ sideline for the rest of the regular season, including top-10 battles against Penn State (tomorrow) and Ohio State (November 25th). That said, the University of Michigan seems to have a plan on how to get Harbaugh back in his headset.

U-M seeking a court order

First off, Michigan has already announced that it is heading to court to get the Big Ten suspension of Jim Harbaugh overturned. Here is an excerpt from the Wolverines’ statement earlier this afternoon:

“Commissioner Petitti’s hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially,” Michigan’s statement reads. “By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran’s Day – a court holiday – to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect.”

Despite court holiday, Michigan football could still get an initial hearing on Jim Harbaugh-Big Ten case

So, what’s next? As ESPN’s Pete Thamel points out, even though today is a court holiday, Michigan could get the ball rolling with an initial hearing as early as this evening — something that the school likely plans to do at the local level in Washtenaw County.

“All week, Michigan had indicated, and lawyers around Michigan had indicated that they would fight a ruling against Jim Harbaugh,” Thamel said. “The steps that would take place if they did indeed do that would be to attempt to get a temporary restraining order, or TRO as they call it. (Michigan) is able to do that, at least get a hearing for it, on Veterans Day, even though the courts are closed.”

Regardless of legal battle, Michigan football must remain ready to beat top-10 teams: Penn State and Ohio State

From there, the legal battle will continue through court hearings, though getting Jim Harbaugh back on the sideline is priority number one for the school and football program right now. That said, with or without Jim Harbaugh, Michigan needs to be ready, because the Wolverines are slated to face Penn State tomorrow and Ohio State in two weeks, regardless of how the court sees Michigan’s case against the Big Ten.

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