BREAKING: Big Ten suspends Jim Harbaugh before Michigan-Penn State game

Note: This is a breaking news story, and the information included is subject to change.

In one of the most groundbreaking moves in the recent history of the sport, the Big Ten has announced that it has suspended Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh ahead of tomorrow’s game with Penn State football. Widely speculated as a possibility throughout the week, the decision is a result of the ongoing sign-stealing allegations surrounding the Michigan football program. The news comes less than 24 hours before kickoff between the Nittany Lions and Wolverines, and while the Michigan team, Harbaugh included, is currently en route to State College.

Big Ten announces suspension of Jim Harbaugh hours before Penn State game

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the expectation is for the Big Ten to prohibit Jim Harbaugh from being on the sidelines for the remainder of the regular season. Harbaugh will be allowed to coach the team during the week leading up to each game.

First reported this morning by ESPN’s Heather Dinich, the Big Ten has explored a wide array of potential punishments for Michigan in the wake of ongoing sign-stealing allegations against the football program. Reportedly, these included public reprimands, financial fines, or a possible indefinite suspension for Harbaugh.

As Dinich later noted, punishment above a two-game suspension or $10,000 fine requires special permission from an executive board of Big Ten conference officials.

If it’s more than 2 games or $10k, the Big Ten will need special permission from an executive board composed of league reps https://t.co/6Z7jb2zqH4

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 10, 2023

Michigan likely plans to fight this decision

As crazy as this story has become in recent days, it isn’t over yet. Shortly after news broke this morning that a potential punishment was forthcoming, entities around the Michigan football program made it clear that the decision would be disputed.

Tom Mars, the personal attorney for Jim Harbaugh, told ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Adam Rittenberg this morning that Michigan is “prepared for every scenario” regarding potential punishments from the Big Ten. Mars followed up that he fully expected Harbaugh to travel to State College with his team this afternoon, which indeed has happened.

Jim Harbaugh’s attorney, Tom Mars, tells ESPN he fully expects Jim Harbaugh to fly with the team to Penn State. “I’m confident he’s going to be on that plane one way or another," Mars said.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 10, 2023

It is widely expected that the University of Michigan will respond to this punishment with legal action, including an injunction or possible restraining order against the Big Ten that would allow Harbaugh to coach the remainder of the season.

How has James Franklin planned for a possible Jim Harbaugh suspension?

Obviously, with a game that has Big Ten title and College Football Playoff implications, all of the news surrounding potential Michigan punishments could serve as a distraction for both teams.

When asked how Penn State football was planning for a potential Jim Harbaugh suspension this week, James Franklin explained that the Nittany Lions are only focusing on what they can control.

“I’ll focus on the things that we can control,” Franklin said Monday. “We always have to have a plan, and I think I’ve already covered this and talked about this in terms of what we do and how we communicate to our players and how we communicate to our team during games. But I’m gonna leave it at that because less is more.”

“What we’re focused on is all this stuff that we see on the film — their players, their scheme, all the stuff,” Franklin specifically said of Michigan. “When I say ‘see on film,’ [I mean] what we see on the coaches’ copy, the film and stuff that’s going on between the sidelines.”

For all the drama on the field, Penn State football will face off against Michigan tomorrow afternoon at noon on FOX.

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