In 13 Page Letter To Michigan, Big Ten Admits it Has No Evidence Linking Harbaugh To Sign-Stealing

The Big Ten Conference has suspended Jim Harbaugh, but the conference admits it has no evidence supporting Harbaugh to the sign-stealing allegations

The Big Ten conference handed Jim Harbaugh a three-game suspension that will not allow him to coach the team on Saturdays for the rest of the regular season. 

In a 13-page letter to Michigan sharing the details of notice and why the conference suspended Harbaugh, Tony Petitti admitted there is no evidence that supports a connection between Jim Harbaugh and the sign-stealing allegations. 

We impose this disciplinary action even though the Conference has not yet received any information indicating the Head Football Coach Harbaugh was aware of the impermissible nature of the sign-stealing scheme. 

The letter continues to state Harbaugh's suspension is not a sanction against the coach, but it's against the University. Petitti says it doesn't hurt the players since they get to continue to play, but it shows the head coach embodies the university.

This is not a sanction of Coach Harbaugh. It is a sanction against the University that, under the extraordinary circumstances presented by this offensive conduct, best fits the violation because: (1) it preserves the ability of the University's football student-athletes to continue competing; and (2) it recognizes that the Head Coach embodies the University for purposes of its football program. 

More disciplinary action could happen if more evidence comes to light, according to Petitti in the letter. 

Michigan became aware of Harbaugh's suspension once it landed from the flight from Ann Arbor. The initial suspension notice was leaked to ESPN and Pete Thamel was the first to announce it. 

Michigan immediately sent out a statement:

"Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered. Today's action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference's own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner's rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation - one in which we are fully cooperating!"

"Commissioner Petitti's hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially. By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran's Day - a court holiday - to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect."

We will continue to update with more information when it becomes available.