Jim Harbaugh has never failed to deliver a strong sound bite, and that didn't change when the Michigan football coach got his first chance to discuss his most recent suspension.
Harbaugh spoke to reporters Monday morning, providing a bit of insight into his past weekend and what the immediate future holds for him. It was announced Friday that Harbaugh had been given a three-game suspension by the Big Ten for his program's recent sign-stealing scandal.
Harbaugh, 59, told reporters that he did not find out about the suspension until Michigan was on the plane flying to Penn State. According to the head coach, neither he nor Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel heard from the Big Ten office before it was made public on social media.
Jim Harbaugh said he found out on the plane via social media that the Big Ten had issued a three-game suspension.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/qxygf5AU31
— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) November 13, 2023
"Someone just showed me their phone," Harbaugh said. "(I found out) via social media."
He was not on the sideline with the team for its Week 12 game against Penn State. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore had the role of interim head coach for the contest against the Nittany Lions, a 24-15 Wolverines victory.
MORE: Sherrone Moore shares tearful postgame message after Michigan win vs. Penn State
Harbaugh is scheduled to have a hearing Friday in which a judge will hear arguments from Michigan for a temporary restraining order that would put on hold the rest of the Big Ten's three-game suspension.
"I'm going to talk on Friday," Harbaugh said. "I'm just looking forward to that opportunity — due process. I'm not looking for special treatment, not looking for a popularity contest, just looking for the merit of what the case is.
"You’re innocent until proven guilty. I’d like that opportunity."
Harbaugh said he will speak at the hearing on Friday. He said he’s looking for “due process.” Mentioned a civics class he took 40 years ago. “You’re innocent until proven guilty. I’d like that opportunity.”
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 13, 2023
Harbaugh clarifies that he’s not sure whether he’ll testify Friday. “That’s not my dance floor,” he says. “I’ve watched a lot of shows. I’ve watched Judge Judy a lot.”
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) November 13, 2023
Harbaugh later clarified that he is not 100 percent certain that he will speak, pending legal advice. But he will be at the hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Washtenaw County Courthouse in Ann Arbor.
"That's not my dance floor," Harbaugh said. "I've watched a lot of shows. I've watched 'Judge Judy' a lot."
MORE: How Jim Harbaugh's suspension impacts Michigan's CFP, national title chances
The hearing Friday will determine Harbaugh's availability for the rest of the regular season. Michigan has two more games: a matchup at Maryland on Saturday followed by the regular-season finale Nov. 25 against visiting Ohio State that likely will be for the Big Ten East title with College Football Playoff implications.
Jim Harbaugh press conference
Despite the suspension, Harbaugh held his weekly press conference with reporters on Monday. The Wolverines coach did not dive too much into the elephant in the room, only briefly discussing the upcoming hearing.
However, that did not stop Harbaugh from delivering his fair share of gems. From talking about chickens to fighting off viruses, here are some of the Michigan coach's best quotes from Monday's press conference:
Harbaugh now discussing getting chicks for Easter 2020, then “the chicks became teenager chickens” and now egg-layers.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 13, 2023
He said he was dead wrong about chickens being nervous birds and hating them. Chickens are always happy to see him. “Fresh eggs every day, highly productive.”
"I’m the one who takes care of them," Harbaugh said. "The respect that I have for chickens — there was a time when I said a chicken was a nervous bird — I was dead wrong. These chickens are low maintenance and high production."
Jim Harbaugh just said that Michigan should be “America’s team” because it has been through adversity and criticism and the naysayers.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 13, 2023
"They’ve gotta be America’s team," Harbaugh said of his players. "America loves a team that beats the odds, beats the adversity, overcomes what the naysayers, critics and so-called experts think. That’s my favorite kind of team."
Harbaugh sounds raspy but insists he’s not sick. “I’m the iron wall that viruses bash against and shatter,” he says. Says he’ll “do some more pushups and eat an apple.”
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) November 13, 2023
"I'm the iron wall that viruses bash against and shatter," Harbaugh said in a raspy voice. "I'll do some more pushups and eat an apple."
You can watch Monday's full press conference with Harbaugh below:
Why was Jim Harbaugh suspended?
On Oct. 18, the NCAA informed Michigan that it was opening an investigation into whether the program violated NCAA bylaw 11.6.1, which prohibits off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents. At the time, Harbaugh denied "any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan illegally stealing signs" in a statement via the University of Michigan.
In the weeks after the investigation was opened, an alleged sign-stealing operation was revealed, led by Michigan staffer Connor Stalions. Among the findings were that Stalions was on the sideline for Central Michigan's opener against Michigan State on Sept. 1, and had purchased tickets to six Purdue games the last two years.
MORE: Jim Harbaugh's timeline of trouble
After gathering all of the information, the Big Ten elected to suspend Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 college football regular season. The decision came despite the conference's acknowledging there's no proven direct link to the head coach and the violations.
"We impose this disciplinary action even though the Conference has not yet received any information indicating that Head Football Coach Harbaugh was aware of the impermissible nature of the sign-stealing scheme," the Big Ten statement read.
Manuel was none too pleased to hear the news of another Harbaugh suspension. In a statement, the Michigan athletic director described the suspension as "completely unethical" and "an assault on the rights of everyone (especially in the Big Ten) to be judged by a fair and complete investigation."
Statement from Michigan AD Warde Manuel. “I find that completely unethical, insulting to a well-established process within the NCAA, and an assault on the rights of everyone (especially in the Big Ten) to be judged by a fair and complete investigation.” pic.twitter.com/Qm9iehYVTR
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
"All of the Head Coaches in the Big Ten (some who have been accused of actively participating in the trading of signals of opponents) and my Big Ten AD colleagues can rejoice today that someone was 'held accountable,' but they should be worried about the new standard of judgment (without complete investigation) that has been unleashed in this conference," Manuel said.
