College Football World Reacts to Big Ten’s Polarizing Jim Harbaugh Suspension

Michigan's punishment had support, opposition and everything in between.

Finally, some resolution has been reached in the Big Ten investigation into Michigan's alleged sign stealing.

Friday afternoon, the conference announced that it has banned Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh from coaching on the field in Michigan’s final three games of the 2023 regular season. The punishment will leave the Wolverines without its leader on the sidelines for its remaining games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State, though Michigan is seeking a court order to block the suspension from taking effect.

The punishment brought a tentative end—for the time being—to one of the most closely watched college football scandals in recent memory. It also generated a bevy of reactions from college football fans and observers, ranging from incredulous to humorous.

• Rosenberg: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Punishments Botched By Clumsy Big Ten

Surprise! Buckeyes fans found the suspension light.

What kind of half punishment is this? Pettiti took the easy way out, doing something but not really doing something. https://t.co/nX7UFFbCzk

— CleBuckeye (@CleBuckeye23) November 10, 2023

Some wondered whether Harbaugh would take the route Connor Stalions is accused of taking.

Is he allowed to go to other games? https://t.co/un1UbGbL89

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) November 10, 2023

Fans of coach-needy NFL teams began circling the wagons.

its time https://t.co/PbhKusPP9X pic.twitter.com/31JuNbE1uK

— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) November 10, 2023

Jokes about how Michigan's administration would react abounded.

Santa Ono finding the nearest courthouse: https://t.co/tWhr7EWfcn pic.twitter.com/kZmQu96izE

— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) November 10, 2023

Several suggested that Harbaugh should simply stick around and test the limits of the Big Ten’s punishment.

Pull an Arsene Wenger https://t.co/e1UWkx0fZ8 pic.twitter.com/G67YlHC5sl

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) November 10, 2023

All told, it has been an eventful year in Ann Arbor.

Wow, with these three games Michigan will have played more games without Harbaugh on the sidelines than with him this season. https://t.co/ImSb3Hk2tw

— Matthew Shelton (@M_Shelton33) November 10, 2023