Michigan Football Coach Breaks Silence On Suspension

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Over the past month or so, amid the sign-stealing scandal in Ann Arbor, 59-year-old Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has remained mostly silent on the investigation, the allegations, and more. That said, after the Big Ten Conference issued a regular season suspension, which kept Harbaugh off the sidelines for the Wolverines’ 24-15 win over No. 10 Penn State last weekend, the veteran head coach finally broke some of his silence on what is going on. Per Harbaugh, all he and Michigan want is due process in this case.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh suspended without due process for 3 games

Even without evidence linking Jim Harbaugh to any knowledge of Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing circle, the 9th-year Michigan football coach has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season by the Big Ten Conference. As the NCAA continues its investigation, the Big Ten and University of Michigan will face off in court this Friday to determine whether or not the suspension will stand.

If Michigan football gets its TRO (temporary restraining order) against the conference, Jim Harbaugh will be allowed to coach against Maryland on Saturday — if the Wolverines beat the Terrapins, Michigan will become the first college football program to ever hit 1,000 all-time wins. Additionally, a win this weekend would boost Michigan football to 11-0 heading into yet another crucial matchup against Ohio State at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh calls for due process, not special treatment, in case against the Big Ten Conference

On Monday, days before a court hearing against the Big Ten Conference, Jim Harbaugh called for due process in the sign-stealing scandal.

“I’m just looking for that opportunity for due process,” Jim Harbaugh said during his Monday media availability. “(Michigan is) not looking for special treatment, looking for a popularity contest. Just looking for the merit of what the case is. Senior year of high school, I had a civics class and talked about government justice, and what I took away from that class was that you’re innocent until proven guilty. That was 40 years ago, but I’d like that opportunity.”

Jim Harbaugh says Michigan doesn’t want special treatment, just due process. He says you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty — something he learned in a civics class ~40 years ago. #GoBlue

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) November 13, 2023

Michigan football and Big Ten will meet in court on Friday

Harbaugh added that, while he is not an attorney, he still may go to the hearing on Friday, where U-M’s lawyers will face off against the Big Ten Conference in hopes of acquiring a TRO and allowing Jim Harbaugh back on the sidelines this fall.

“I don’t know exactly how it’s how it’s gonna go,” Jim Harbaugh added. “I’m gonna be able to go (to the hearing) though. I don’t know if I’m gonna be — that’s not my dance floor. You know, I’m not the attorney. Always wanted to be, watched a lot of shows watch Judge Judy a lot. But it always kind of felt like it’d be cool to get up there and thunder away at a jury like Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men.”

Jim Harbaugh says he always wanted to be an attorney. Or a judge. He cites Judge Judy as a reason.

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) November 13, 2023

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