The Likely Reason That Michigan Football Ended Its Legal Battle

Tomorrow was supposed to be the big day — the day that Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh looked the Big Ten Conference in its eyes and won its legal dispute, gaining a TRO that would allow the Wolverines’ head coach to get back on the sideline against Maryland and Ohio State this fall. Yet, that day will not come, as the University of Michigan, its head football coach, and its conference have all come to an agreement that ends the legal battle yet keeps Harbaugh off the sideline for the rest of the year. Here is the likely reason that U-M dropped the fight.

Michigan football ends legal dispute with the Big Ten Conference

Last week, and even earlier this week, it looked like Jim Harbaugh and the University of Michigan football program were ready to go to war with the Big Ten Conference over its three-game suspension of Harbaugh, which sidelined him for the Penn State game and is set to keep him off the field against Maryland and Ohio State.

Still, today, the school and its football coach changed their tune, now accepting the penalty given out by the Big Ten Conference just days before the Wolverines head to College Park, MD, in hopes of winning their 11th game of the 2023 season.

This may be why U-M and Jim Harbaugh backed out of the fight

A lot of Michigan football fans are upset, and perhaps rightfully so, after the University of Michigan beat the “Michigan vs. Everybody” drum over the past few days. Yet, U-M may have cut a deal that benefits the school and football program in the long term, according to a new report from Yahoo Sports. So, what does Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football get in return for dropping the court hearing?

“In exchange, the Big Ten will end its investigation into Michigan on the in-person scouting matter,” Yahoo reports. “That seemingly ends any possibility of future penalties or suspensions, which the Big Ten had reserved the right to levy, at least during the 2023 season if additional information from the current NCAA investigation emerges.

“That would allow Michigan and Harbaugh to operate without any fear of interruption should the 10-0 Wolverines advance to the Big Ten championship game and College Football Playoff.”

Michigan is without Harbaugh on game days, but at least the Big Ten is done getting involved

The bad news for Michigan is pretty simple: the Wolverines will be without Jim Harbaugh against Maryland this weekend and against No. 2 Ohio State next weekend. Notably, Harbaugh will still be allowed to coach six days per week; he just cannot come to the stadium for 60 minutes while the game is being played. In Harbaugh’s place will be Sherrone Moore, who just led Michigan to a two-score win over a top-10 Penn State team last weekend — a worthy fill-in, to say the least.

The good news? This is one less thing for the No. 3 Wolverines to worry about as they approach “The Game,” with a lot of outside distractions going on right now. Believe it or not, getting out of a legal dispute with the Big Ten may end up benefitting the Wolverines in the long-run.

The Big Ten is now deferring to the NCAA and its penalty process.

Big Ten will not impose any additional penalties against Michigan unless the NCAA finds/proves that one or more of Michigan’s countable coaches were involved in the Connor Stalions scheme, a league source told me.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 16, 2023

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