The Michigan Wolverines reportedly held discussions about possibly leaving the Big Ten before the conference announced a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh.
On Friday, the Big Ten announced that Harbaugh would be suspended for Michigan’s final three regular season games due to in-person scouting violations as well as allegations that the football program engaged in an illegal sign-stealing system.
According to Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated, Michigan regents talked about the idea of leaving the conference last week in the event that Harbaugh was suspended:
“Tony Petitti has no idea how badly he just botched his job, but here is a hint: In a meeting last week, Michigan’s regents discussed possibly leaving the Big Ten if Petitti suspended coach Jim Harbaugh without what the school considered due process, a person familiar with those discussions told Sports Illustrated.
That may sound like an empty threat, but the fact it was even discussed should tell you how angry Michigan is right now about how Petitti has handled this. The process that led to Harbaugh’s three-game suspension was a clumsy execution of mob justice, and it is by no means over. Michigan is expected to take the Big Ten to court Friday night to try to allow Harbaugh to coach Saturday. (A Michigan spokesperson declined to comment publicly Friday night.)…
Of course, Michigan is unlikely to leave the Big Ten—but the school might do its damnedest to make sure Tony Petitti does.”
Hoping to block the suspension, Harbaugh and Michigan filed a request for a temporary restraining order. Judge Timothy Connors, a lecturer at the Michigan law school, will hear Harbaugh’s case:
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The Wolverines visit the No. 10 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday afternoon. They’ll wrap up their regular season with a home contest against the archrival and top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 25.
