Michigan Responds To Big Ten, Tony Petitti. Wolverines Object To Punishment Of Football Coach Jim Harbaugh

Michigan has sent a lengthy response to the Big Ten over the recent alleged actions of sign stealing regarding Connor Stalions, and Jim Harbaugh. According to multiple reports, the school has laid out why it does not think Harbaugh should be suspended.

The response, which Yahoo Sports obtained, states that Michigan has claimed that action from the Big Ten is also a breach of the conference handbook. Also, the discipline of Jim Harbaugh "would exceed the commissioner's authority under the sportsmanship policy," which conference members agree upon.

Also in the 10 page response to the Big Ten, Michigan has reportedly included documents pertaining to opposing schools having its signs, which they claim were stolen. The school has also made it known, that any type of punishment at this time would be "disproportionate" with other teams also sharing signs.

Update: OutKick has spoken with Tom Mars, who represents Jim Harbaugh, and he told us that along with the response from Michigan, he also filed a lengthy response with the Big Ten. In his response, Mars outlines a defense for Harbaugh, which is similar to the one Michigan filed.

All of this stems from the allegations that former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions was involved in a sign-stealing scheme, which led him to have videos sent in from opponents football games. The Big Ten is alleging that Jim Harbaugh should have known what was going on.

The impact of someone on his staff having an army of videographers sent to multiple stadiums is at the core of the Big Ten arguments.

According to Yahoo Sports, Michigan has claimed in its response that there is no threat to sportsmanship or gaining a competitive advantage.

"We are not aware of any evidence or allegation suggesting that violations are ongoing now that Stalions is no longer part of the football program, or that there are any other circumstances of ongoing or irreparable harm requiring or justifying immediate or interim sanctions."

Michigan is telling the Big Ten that we've handled the problem, now go away and continue looking into the broad scope of this.

"Absent such evidence, there is no discernible reason for cutting short an investigation or using to provide due process," the letter further states, according to Yahoo.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines is seen with University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono following the Big Ten Championship against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

One Of The Bigger Points Michigan Has Made In Response

But one of the bigger points made by the school is the "unadjudicated" breaking of rules can not fall under the sportsmanship category.

This comes days after the Big Ten laid out a deadline of Wednesday for Michigan to respond to the allegations.

Now, the school will wait on Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti to make the decision on if Michigan will be punished. A main concern from the school is that the conference is moving too quickly, and any suspension of Jim Harbaugh would force the school to file an injunction in court.

The school does not feel due process has taken place, and is ready to fight the Big Ten in this matter. Especially if the conference hands down a suspension of Harbaugh.

We now wait to see how the Big Ten responds, and if it does end up suspending Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Wolverines will now wait, hoping its response clears the way for the conference not to suspend Harbaugh. The Wolverines are preparing for a battle in the courtroom.