Unbeaten Michigan was dealt a blow on Friday when the Big Ten announced a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh, amid an investigation into an alleged sign-stealing scheme by the Wolverines.
LIVE: Follow the latest Michigan vs. Penn State updates
Despite traveling to State College for Michigan's rivalry game against Penn State, the ban intended to bar Harbaugh from coaching against the Nittany Lions. Could he find his way onto the sidelines anyway?
Michigan was prepared for the suspension and pledged to seek a court order to temporarily stave off the punishment in an effort to keep Harbaugh eligible for games against Penn State and Ohio State.
Here's what you need to know about the status of Michigan's litigation and whether Harbaugh will be able to coach the team on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
MORE: Explaining the Michigan sign-stealing scandal
Is Jim Harbaugh coaching vs. Penn State?
On Friday night, the university requested a temporary restraining order against the Big Ten in Washtenaw County Trial Court. If granted, the suspension would be delayed.
However, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, a ruling will not come before Saturday's kickoff, meaning Harbaugh will not be able to be on the sidelines against Penn State. The hearing will be scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, a day before the game against Maryland.
There will not be a ruling today in Jim Harbaugh's request for a temporary restraining order, according to a person familiar with the court filings. This means Jim Harbaugh will not coach at Penn State today.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
Earlier in the day, when coaches and players arrived at Beaver Stadium, Harbaugh was not on the Michigan team bus.
Michigan players and coaches arrive. No Jim Harbaugh on the bus. pic.twitter.com/wnGzqAxwcp
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 11, 2023
Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will serve as acting head coach for the Penn State game.
The Wolverines learned the news of the ban as they were flying to central Pennsylvania for Saturday's matchup. The Big Ten made the announcement less than 24 hours before kickoff, and Michigan immediately responded that it was fighting the decision in hopes of getting Harbaugh on the sidelines.
"To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect," Michigan said in a statement.
Statement from the University of Michigan: pic.twitter.com/QcYzBZkXPn
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 10, 2023
MORE ON MICHIGAN SIGN-STEALING:
- A timeline of Jim Harbaugh's controversies
- What suspension means for Michigan's CFP chances
- Inside Jim Harbaugh's coaching history at Michigan
Michigan court order, explained
Michigan on Friday night filed a temporary restraining order to block Harbaugh's suspension from taking effect. The order was filed in Washtenaw County Trial Court, with the case assigned to Judge Timothy P. Connors, according to ESPN.
Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Board of Regents have filed for a temporary restraining order in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and the Big Ten are defendants. The listed judicial officer is Judge Timothy P. Connors. W/@DanMurphyESPN pic.twitter.com/wNoxYEspPQ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
There is some precedent for courts temporarily blocking suspensions in sports. In the NFL, Ezekiel Elliott's 2017 suspension for domestic violence was delayed for multiple months as it went through the court system.
After a U.S. District Judge reinstated the ban in Oct. 2017, a Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay and allowed Elliott to continue playing. Finally, more than three months after the discipline was handed down, the stay was overturned again and Elliott dropped his appeal.
Tom Brady also took his appeal of his 'DeflateGate' suspension to the courts. After the NFL's independent arbitrator upheld his four-game ban, Judge Richard Berman overturned the suspension just a week before the start of the 2015 season. Brady played the full season, but the ban was reinstated by a federal appeals court the following spring. Further attempts to appeal were unsuccessful.
