As Michigan awaits a final punishment from the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions pertaining to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing investigation, the Wolverines have gotten some support from the Big Ten in a somewhat surprising turn of events.
According to a report from ESPN’s Dan Wetzel just one day prior to the start of Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti penned a letter to the NCAA advocating for no further punishment as it relates to the sign-stealing investigation. Wetzel mentioned the letter was read at the COI hearing in June.
As fans might remember, the Big Ten got out ahead of things on the punishment front all the way back in Nov. 2023, shortly after the sign-stealing scandal came to light. Several other Big Ten programs advocated for immediate action to be taken against Jim Harbaugh and Michigan at the time. Petitti suspended Jim Harbaugh for the three final regular season games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State.
Stalions and linebackers coach Chris Partridge also lost their jobs shortly after the scandal became public.
In his report, Wetzel mentioned that Petitti’s letter argued the Big Ten had already punished Michigan enough with the three-game suspension for Harbaugh.
The change of tune for Petitti is a bit surprising given how hard he and the Big Ten came down on the Wolverines. Michigan and the Big Ten were involved in quite the skirmish at the time, with the school claiming the Big Ten’s suspension of Harbaugh was unjust, and calling it a, “flagrant breach of fundamental fairness.”
On the other hand, it would make sense for the Big Ten to have Michigan’s back with the NCAA going after one of the conference’s premier programs.
As it stands currently in the investigation, the NCAA is known to move at a snail’s pace, but some sort of resolution is expected before the season starts. Michigan has been charged with 11 total rule violations, including six Level 1 violations. Michigan has already made an attempt to get out in front of things by reportedly self-imposing a suspension for head coach Sherrone Moore, which will be served in Weeks 3 and 4 for games against Central Michigan and Nebraska.
According to Wetzel, “The NCAA might still hit the Wolverines with penalties ranging from vacating past victories, a postseason ban, the suspension of coaches, a monetary fine or other measures.”
Big Ten Media Days are set to commence tomorrow in Las Vegas. Petitti is scheduled to speak on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, while Sherrone Moore, Max Bredeson, Ernest Hausmann and Derrick Moore will speak on Thursday.
