Tag: Jim Harbaugh

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's college football program is being investigated for sign-stealing.

Jim Harbaugh accepts suspension; Big Ten ends Michigan investigation

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Officials at Michigan said the university is dropping its appeal of football coach Jim Harbaugh’s three-game suspension from the Big Ten, ending its litigation against the conference.

In exchange, the Big Ten agreed to close its investigation into allegations of sign-stealing.

The university was seeking an injunction that would have allowed Harbaugh to be on the sideline Saturday against Maryland, and the two sides were due in court on Friday.

“This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation. The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension,” read Michigan’s statement, which added Harbaugh “decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.”

The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for three games last Friday amid an investigation into allegations of sign-stealing and in-person scouting by at least one former member of his staff. At the time, the Big Ten said there was no evidence linking Harbaugh to wrongdoing but that he was suspended as the face of the program.

“The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations,” Michigan’s statement read. “The University continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation.”

In its own statement, the Big Ten said Michigan’s action is “indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the University seek to uphold.

“The University of Michigan is a valued member of the Big Ten Conference and the Conference will continue to work cooperatively with the University and the NCAA during this process,” the statement said.

The Big Ten suspension was only for games, meaning Harbaugh can coach in practice throughout the week. He was not present when No. 3 Michigan defeated then-No. 10 Penn State on the road.

The Wolverines travel to Maryland this weekend and then face No. 2 Ohio State at home, with a berth in the Big Ten title game — and potentially the College Football Playoff — on the line.

Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who led the Wolverines against Penn State, will be the interim head coach against Maryland. A win would give Michigan football its 1,000th victory in school history.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh out as court doesn’t intervene

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh will not coach the No. 3 Wolverines at Penn State on Saturday, despite the school’s request for a court order to allow him to do so, ESPN reported.

On Friday, the Big Ten banned Harbaugh from coaching on the sidelines for the final three games of the regular season, saying in a letter to the school that the Wolverines had violated the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy by conducting in-person scouting that led to stealing signs.

Later in the day, Michigan and Harbaugh filed paperwork seeking an emergency temporary restraining order in Washtenaw County (Mich.) Circuit Court that, if granted, would have allowed Harbaugh to take the field against No. 11 Penn State in a crucial Big Ten showdown.

The court did not make a ruling, however, and scheduled a hearing for 9 a.m. ET next Friday, ESPN reported. Harbaugh will be allowed to prepare the team on campus throughout the week, however.

“We look forward to presenting our case next week where we intend to demonstrate that the Big Ten has not acted legally or fairly,” Michigan said in a statement Saturday.

As the Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) arrived at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., on Saturday, Harbaugh was not on the bus. Instead, he was sequestered away from the team, waiting to learn whether the court would intercede and allow him to rush to the field for the game.

Offensive coordinator Sherron Moore will lead the Wolverines on Saturday in place of Harbaugh.

Under the conference ruling, Harbaugh may attend practices and other football team activities, but he may not be present at the games. The conference acknowledged it had no evidence yet that Harbaugh directed the sign stealing or other unallowed acts.

“This is not a sanction of Coach Harbaugh,” the conference said. “It is a sanction against the University that, under the extraordinary circumstances presented by this offensive conduct, best fits the violation because: (1) it preserves the ability of the University’s football student-athletes to continue competing; and (2) it recognizes that the Head Coach embodies the University for purposes of its football program.”

In a statement issued Oct. 19, Harbaugh denied any involvement in stealing signs.

“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed staff members or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” he said.

“I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.”

So far, only former staff member Connor Stalions has been tied to allegations of in-person scouting and sign stealing.

Michigan suspended Stalions with pay on Oct. 20, pending the outcome of the investigation, and he resigned on Nov. 3. Stalions has refused to cooperate with both internal and external investigations since then, ESPN and The Athletic reported last week.

Michigan is set to face Maryland on the road on Nov. 18 and end the regular season with No. 1-ranked Ohio State at home the following week.

–Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's college football program is being investigated for sign-stealing.

Big Ten bans Jim Harbaugh from Michigan sidelines for regular season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will be allowed to coach at practice — but not during games — for the rest of the regular season as punishment for the program’s in-person scouting, the Big Ten Conference announced Friday.

That means Harbaugh won’t be on the sidelines during the No. 3 Wolverines’ two biggest games of the season: Saturday at No. 10 Penn State and Nov. 25 against No. 1 Ohio State.

Both games could have implications on which Big Ten team is in contention for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

The Big Ten, in a news release, said Michigan “has been found in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.”

Under the conference ruling, Harbaugh may attend practices and other football team activities, but he may not be present at the games.

Michigan (9-0) also plays Nov. 18 at Maryland.

–Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's college football program is being investigated for sign-stealing.

Jim Harbaugh denies Michigan pulled extension offer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh pushed back against multiple reports that a contract extension is being withdrawn or at least put on hold due to the ongoing sign-stealing investigation, telling reporters he “wouldn’t say that’s accurate.”

He added it is against policy to talk about ongoing contract negotiations.

The NCAA is looking into the situation that includes potential recording of opponents’ sideline audio as well as unauthorized scouting.

Staff member Connor Stalions, the main figure in the alleged sign-stealing activities, has been suspended.

Under Harbaugh, the Wolverines have won 33 of their past 36 games and made the College Football Playoff twice. They are 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten) this season and, after having this past Saturday off, play Purdue Nov. 4.

Among the many details reported by various outlets, Sports Illustrated cited sources claiming Michigan’s ball boys on the opponent sideline listened to play calls and relayed the information. SI said the ball boys would hold a football in one hand for “run” and the other hand for “pass” plays.

At the outset of the investigation, Harbaugh issued a denial.

“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed staff members or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” he said.

“I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.”

On Monday he referenced that statement, adding that he’s not focusing on the investigation.

“We’re in an onward mode,” he said.

The contract extension reports said the potential deal would make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in college football.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: NCAA panel nixes Jim Harbaugh’s suspension deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NCAA Committee of Infractions (COI) did not approve a negotiated four-game suspension for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, throwing his status into limbo, Yahoo Sports and ESPN reported Saturday.

It’s unclear what happens next.

While Yahoo Sports reports Harbaugh will coach every game for the Wolverines this season, ESPN reported that Harbaugh’s status for 2023 has yet to be determined. Yahoo reported that the final resolution on Harbaugh would likely come sometime in 2024, well after this season.

It was reported late last month that Harbaugh had reached a deal with the NCAA on a four-game suspension as punishment for recruiting violations and misleading information surrounding those allegations.

But that needed the approval of the COI, which was expected to be a formality, per the Yahoo report. It’s unclear what hurdles arose to throw the case back into the NCAA’s disciplinary process.

Yahoo reported last month that Harbaugh agreed to the proposed four-game suspension that would see him miss home against East Carolina (Sept. 2), UNLV (Sept. 9), Bowling Green (Sept. 16) and Rutgers (Sept. 23).

Lying to investigators is an NCAA Level I violation and carries a mandatory six-game suspension. The negotiated reduced suspension could also impact multiple assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome. They’re named in the NCAA’s notice along with former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who left Michigan to become defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

Harbaugh, 59, has denied that he lied to investigators, claiming he didn’t recall details they were requesting around meetings with recruits.

Michigan was 13-1 last season and played in the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year, falling to TCU in the national semifinal game on Dec. 31.

–Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. 2022-11-26-harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh remaining as U-M head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After another flirtation with the NFL, Jim Harbaugh is returning to coach Michigan in 2023.

“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” university president Santa Ono tweeted Monday. “That is fantastic news that I have communicated to our Athletic Director Warde Manuel.”

“I love the relationship that I have at Michigan – coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families. My heart is at the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say ‘Don’t try to out-happy, happy’. Go Blue!” Harbaugh said in a statement.

It marked the second time this month that Michigan publicly celebrated Harbaugh honoring the basic terms of their agreement.

On Jan. 5, Harbaugh released a statement that he was “aware of the rumors and speculation” regarding his future. “While no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan football retweeted that statement with the headline, “A Michigan man through and through.”

Harbaugh reportedly had had a conversation — not an interview — with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper about that team’s coaching vacancy. He was also expected to generate interest from the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, with The Athletic reporting that Harbaugh was all but gone from Michigan if he gets an offer from an NFL franchise.

Harbaugh signed a five-year, $36.7 million contract extension last season following significant discussions with the Minnesota Vikings. He discussed the opening with the Vikings twice, including an in-person sit-down with ownership on National Signing Day, only to ultimately return as Wolverines head coach.

Michigan first hired Harbaugh as head coach in 2015. The Wolverines are 74-24 under Harbaugh with five consecutive bowl game losses since winning the Citrus Bowl in 2015.

The former Michigan quarterback, who played in the NFL from 1987-2001, last coached in the NFL from 2011-2014, guiding the San Francisco 49ers to five playoff wins, a 44-19-1 record and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media after the 2022 Fiesta Bowl won by the TCU Horned Frogs, 51-45, at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Harbaugh: ‘I expect’ to return to Michigan in 2023

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jim Harbaugh said Thursday he expects to return as Michigan’s head coach in 2023 via a statement released through the Wolverines’ social media channels.

In the statement, Harbaugh said he was “aware of the rumors and speculation” regarding his future, specifically centering on his reported interest in returning to the NFL and the expected interest in him by at least three teams.

“While no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023,” Harbaugh said, repeating the phrase he used in early December when he first addressed rumors of a jump to the NFL.

“I think the people are going to be happy to know that I’ll be enthusiastically coaching the Wolverines in 2023,” Harbaugh said Dec. 4.

Thursday’s statement went on:

“Our mission as Wolverines continues, and we are preparing for the 2023 season with great passion and enthusiasm.”

Michigan football’s Twitter headline read, “A Michigan man through and through.”

Harbaugh has had a conversation — not an interview — with at least one NFL team about its vacancy, with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper. He’s also expected to generate interest from the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.

The Athletic has reported that Harbaugh is all but gone from Michigan if he gets an offer from an NFL franchise.

Harbaugh signed a five-year, $36.7 million contract extension last season following significant discussions with the Minnesota Vikings. He discussed the opening with the Vikings twice, including an in-person sit-down with ownership on National Signing Day, only to ultimately return as Wolverines head coach.

Michigan first hired Harbaugh as head coach in 2015. The Wolverines are 74-24 under Harbaugh with five consecutive bowl game losses since winning the Citrus Bowl in 2015.

The former Michigan quarterback, who played in the NFL from 1987-2001, last coached in the NFL from 2011-2014, guiding the San Francisco 49ers to five playoff wins and a 44-19-1 record.

The 49ers were Super Bowl runner-up to Jim’s brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens to end the 2012 season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Panthers talked to Jim Harbaugh

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper had a conversation — not an interview — with Jim Harbaugh about the team’s coaching vacancy, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

In addition, the Indianapolis Colts also are reportedly planning to discuss their vacancy with Harbaugh. The Denver Broncos reportedly reached out to Harbaugh on Monday.

The Athletic has reported that Harbaugh is all but gone from Michigan if he gets an offer from an NFL franchise.

The Panthers will not begin formal interviews until after their season ends Sunday against New Orleans.

Harbaugh went 44-19-1 as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers before returning to the college ranks at his alma mater, Michigan. Harbaugh led the Wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten championships and a second consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Michigan’s season ended on New Year’s Eve in a 51-45 loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Harbaugh signed a new five-year, $36.7 million deal with Michigan after interviewing with Minnesota following the 2021 season. Harbaugh’s new contract with Michigan runs through 2026, with a $3 million buyout until Year 2, which begins Jan. 11.

Harbaugh, 59, is familiar with the Colts, having played quarterback for the franchise during his pro career. His time in Indianapolis (1994-97) included a run to the AFC Championship game in the 1995 season, and his nickname “Captain Comeback” was born.

Carolina has shown improvement under interim coach Steve Wilks, but the Panthers are 6-10 and no longer in contention for the playoffs.

Wilks was promoted after Matt Rhule was fired by Tepper, who said he was seeking a cultural reset for the franchise.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) talks with team staff on the sideline in the second quarter after being sacked against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens in wait-and-see mode with QB Lamar Jackson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

If Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh knows how close quarterback Lamar Jackson is to returning from a knee injury, he’s not letting on.

Harbaugh told reporters on Monday it isn’t clear whether Jackson will resume practicing this week in advance of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8).

“We’ll just have to see,” Harbaugh said.

Jackson, 25, sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Dec. 4 in the Ravens’ win over the Denver Broncos. Backup Tyler Huntley has led the Ravens (10-5) to a 2-1 record in Jackson’s absence.

The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot but currently are in second place in the AFC North behind the Bengals (11-4) and have a showdown in Cincinnati to close the regular season on Jan. 8. Baltimore won the first game between the two, 19-17 in Week 5, when Jackson threw for 174 yards and a touchdown and ran for 58 more.

The league MVP in 2019, Jackson has completed 62.3 percent of his passes this season for 2,242 yards, with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s the team’s leading rusher, running for 764 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker on the sidelines during Michigan's 29-7 win over Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Ann Arbor. Msumich 102922 Kd 0014555

Michigan State condemns ‘assault’ on Michigan players

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Michigan State officials said Sunday that players who confronted and threw punches at at least one Michigan player after their rivalry game on Saturday night will be held responsible and that the university will cooperate with any forthcoming investigations from police or the Big Ten.

Michigan defeated Michigan State 29-7, and after the game, video captured a group of Spartans players punching and kicking Wolverines defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows in the tunnel heading toward the locker room. Tempers had flared near the end of the game.

“As Spartans our program has a responsibility to uphold the highest level of sportsmanship,” Spartans coach Mel Tucker posted to Twitter Sunday morning. “While emotions were very high at the conclusion of our rivalry game at Michigan Stadium, there is no excuse for behavior that puts our team or our opponents at risk.

“In complete cooperation with law enforcement, the Big Ten Conference and MSU and UM leadership, we will evaluate the events in Ann Arbor and take swift and appropriate action.”

Michigan State president Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said such actions would not be tolerated.

“I’m extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program,” Stanley said in a statement released by the school. “On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student athletes who were injured.

“There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent.

“Coach Tucker will be holding the players involved responsible, and our football team and university will be cooperating with all related investigations by law enforcement and the Big Ten Conference.”

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was visibly shaken after the game and called the incident an assault on two players, though the second player was not identified. Harbaugh said one of the players could have sustained an injury to his nose.

“Just like anybody, you want to protect your players,” Harbaugh said. “Ten on one, whatever it was, it was just bad. It needs to be investigated and brought to a conclusion. Our athletic director will make sure that that takes place.”

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel shared Harbaugh’s dismay at the incident.

“What happened after the game is completely unacceptable. I’ve talked to the commissioner (Kevin Warren), he’s looking into it,” Manuel said. “The police are also looking into it, because they’ve seen the video and they’re addressing it. We will leave it in their hands, but this is not how we should interact after a game.

“This is not the way another team should grab a player and do what they did. It’s completely and utterly unacceptable. We will let the Big Ten and law enforcement handle it, but this is not what a rivalry should be about.”

–Field Level Media