In a major development in the Michigan Wolverines football program sign stealing story, Big Ten officials announced a press conference set for late Tuesday, at which they will reveal that head coach Jim Harbaugh will be suspended for the rest of the 2023 season and the team will be suspended from postseason play.
The announcement comes after the release of new video footage that appears to show Harbaugh and other members of the coaching staff discussing sign stealing in coaching meetings. The video footage was leaked over the weekend, and it is the latest piece of evidence to suggest that Michigan's sign-stealing operation was extensive and sophisticated.
The allegations against Michigan first surfaced in October 2023 after ESPN reported that Michigan staffers had been attending games at other Big Ten schools and potential College Football Playoff contenders to record sidelines and steal signals. The NCAA launched an investigation into the allegations, and the Big Ten has now taken disciplinary action against the program.
In a statement, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said that the conference "takes the integrity of our competition very seriously, and we will not tolerate any form of cheating." Warren added that the conference "found clear and convincing evidence that the Michigan football program violated Big Ten rules by engaging in sign stealing."
Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of the sign-stealing operation, but he has not commented on the release of the new video footage. The Michigan Wolverines football program has also not commented on the Big Ten's announcement.
The suspension of Harbaugh and the Wolverines is a major blow to the program. Harbaugh is one of the most successful coaches in college football, and the Wolverines are one of the top teams in the country. The suspension will also prevent the Wolverines from competing in the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
The punishment handed down by the Big Ten is also a significant development in the fight against cheating in college football. The Big Ten is one of the most powerful conferences in the country, and its decision to suspend Harbaugh and the Wolverines sends a strong message that cheating will not be tolerated.