On Nov. 17, a hearing in Washtenaw County (Michigan) is expected to be held regarding a temporary restraining order for Jim Harbaugh, who won’t be able to coach Michigan during their game on Saturday against Penn State. Despite his team’s upcoming match, Harbaugh is currently unable to appeal the Big Ten’s three-game suspension due to the lack of a required ruling.
While Michigan asserts that the Big Ten’s decision did not comply with legal or ethical standards, Judge Tim Connors refrained from making a ruling before the suspended coach’s Saturday game. Due to the suspension, Harbaugh is prohibited from entering the Beaver Stadium during the game.
The suspension was a result of Michigan staff member Connor Stalions allegedly sending individuals to record the sideline play signals of future Michigan opponents, resulting in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh and restrictions on his game-day presence.
Michigan’s final three regular season games include matches at Penn State and Maryland, as well as a crucial rivalry game against Ohio State. Though sidelined, Harbaugh has the possibility to return for future games if Michigan advances.
Stalions, a former U.S. Naval Academy grad and Marine captain, and a member of the Michigan staff, is accused of engaging in an in-person scouting operation, prompting an NCAA investigation regarding the theft of signs. Michigan has made it clear that they were not aware of Stalions’ actions and have demanded due process before any punishment is issued.
Meanwhile, the NCAA’s investigation has not found any ties to Harbaugh or knowledge of his involvement in Stalions’ actions. It’s the latest in a series of complications for Harbaugh, who is already in the midst of serving a school-issued three-game suspension due to an unrelated NCAA infractions case earlier this season.
