Full statement:
"Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgement is rendered. Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference’s own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner’s rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation – one in which we are fully cooperating.
“Commissioner Petitti’s hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially. By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran’s Day – a court holiday – to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect.”
I’m not an NFL guy so take this with a grain of salt, but I do think that had more to do with the Niners’ front office than with Jim’s coaching acumen. And I agree many teams will not want him because of the personality clash he would pose, but he will definitely be sought after by some.
I think the speculation is way overblown. Any advantage “advanced scouting” offers is likely marginally greater than advantages gained by sign stealing via legal means (from A22 film, which all teams do). Maybe worth a few points in an average game? Some coaches claim it could be as much as a 10 point advantage, some say worthless (and most are in between). Just look at the talent on those teams, they needed no help, which is why this saga is so stupid.
As for the suspension, I think it’s noteworthy Harbaugh himself was not sanctioned because that is not within the purview of the B1G unsportsmanlike rule. The program was sanctioned. Nothing has proven that Harbaugh was aware of the sign stealing, and the NCAA has said as much. Now, did other people on the staff know? I would hazard that some probably did, and I want those guys suspended. But the buck always stops with the HC, which is why he was sitting in the hotel this afternoon. Splitting hairs, but I think it’s important to get the facts (the few that we know) right and reserve judgment for when the dust settles.
Actually, and I may be remembering wrong, but I thought it also had to do with him losing the locker room, with it becoming a toxic environment.
While I agree that he may have had enough talent not to need this advantage, it is definitely still an advantage. When the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs is razor thin, any advantage helps. Making the playoffs is not only about your record, but also how you win games. Just look at UGA - they are the defending 2 time back-to-back national champions and are undefeated this year, but were #2 in the poll going into yesterday. The committee didn’t feel like they had won their games convincing enough to be #1. Michigan needs every win/point it can get, and this advantage might have been the difference. If not, we’ll never know, because, well, they cheated.
And honestly, I think the B1G was going easy on Harbaugh/Michigan to make this go away, but Michigan didn’t get the memo. If this goes as deep as some (including me) think it does, this was a pretty light punishment. Let’s be honest, Michigan is still #2, which would put them in the playoffs if they win out. They won convincingly yesterday without Harbaugh on the sidelines, they’ll win against Maryland, so the only challenge will be Ohio State. And based on how the players responded to his 4 game (self-imposed) “suspension” at the beginning the season, they might rally for their coach and play harder. Either way, I think keeping him off the sidelines for 3 games is barely a slap on the wrist if this turns out to be as bad as I think it is. Have you seen the pictures of Connor Stalions on the sidelines impersonating a Central Michigan coach? He looked like a secret agent in a comedy film. This isn’t just sign stealing, this is waaaaaaay worse - Stalions was standing on the actual sidelines. Also, according to ESPN, he had “purchased tickets to more than 35 games at 17 stadiums around the country involving Michigan opponents in the Big Ten and potential College Football Playoff opponents.” And that’s just one guy, what if there are more and he’s just the one caught so far?
Whether Harbaugh knew or not is irrelevant, he is the head coach, so he SHOULD have known. This is his program.