Michigan football coach not linked to sign-stealing

Yesterday felt like somewhat of a turning point for the Maize and Blue in the infamous sign-stealing scandal, which has headlined sports news for the better part of a month now. Tomorrow, there is a chance that the Big Ten Conference suspends Jim Harbaugh — or takes other action against the Wolverines — however, it sounds like U-M has a solid legal defense in place if that is to happen. On top of that, according to the evidence that the NCAA has presented to the Big Ten, Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is still not linked to Connor Stalions and his alleged sign-stealing scheme.

Michigan football coach not linked to sign-stealing

Michigan football is gearing up for its biggest on-field test of the season so far: a Week 11 road game against No. 9 Penn State. That said, there is a lot of background noise right now, including a notice of potential punishment from the Big Ten, which will be in effect on Wednesday of this week (tomorrow).

With Jim Harbaugh potentially looking at a suspension this week, the University of Michigan and its football program have been prepping an air-tight legal defense, one which stands on solid ground now that it is known that the NCAA nor Big Ten can link Jim Harbaugh to Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing scheme.

Per a new report from Yahoo Sports, which was published on Monday, there is no evidence against Jim Harbaugh just yet, aside from the fact that Stalions was on his staff (and therefore his responsibility). Still, Michigan football appears to believe that Stalions was a rogue staffer, and seeing as he has since stepped down, there are some dead ends in the NCAA’s investigation.

“The NCAA has revealed its findings in the Michigan sign-stealing investigation to the Big Ten, and the conference continues to consider a multi-game suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh as the school gears up for legal action, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” reads Yahoo’s report. “The NCAA’s findings do not connect the in-person scouting and recording of opponents’ sidelines to Harbaugh, sources say, an absence of evidence essential to a potential lawsuit from the school and coach against the league.”

U-M ready to take action in defense of Jim Harbaugh, football program

If the Big Ten is to take action against Michigan football, a swift legal battle is expected from Santa Ono and the University of Michigan soon after. Ono cannot publicly comment on the investigation, though he says that he supports the football team — he added that this includes its head coach, Jim Harbaugh.

From @YahooSports this afternoon:

"The NCAA’s findings do not connect the in-person scouting and recording of opponents’ sidelines to Harbaugh, sources say, an absence of evidence essential to a potential lawsuit from the school and coach against the league."

Something worth… pic.twitter.com/uMCAPHQsfo

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) November 7, 2023

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