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Latest update from Chris Balas (credit to B1GSpeed per usual).
Michigan representatives spoke with the Big Ten (and others) for hours Sunday in search of a compromise on the conference’s stance that U-M be punished this year for alleged infractions. Here’s the latest …
As Michigan president Santa Ono indicated Saturday, U-M is asking only one thing — due process and letting the NCAA investigation into alleged illegal on-site scouting and sign stealing play out. Michigan analyst Connor Stalions, the alleged ringleader in the operation, resigned and issued a statement taking full and sole responsibility, but the conference still wants a suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Sources tell us the meeting Friday between commissioner Tony Petitti and his crew and some in the U-M administration started with Petitti asking Michigan to suspend Harbaugh indefinitely, not the two games reported elsewhere (“they were not prepared to accept two games anyway,” one source privy to the conversation noted). Big Ten sources tell us tonight that Fox Sports higher ups were involved, as well, and obviously interested with the result. They stopped short of calling them “mediators.”
Where it ended after hours of conversation — the same place it started. The Big Ten wasn’t willing to budge and wants Harbaugh suspended for the season (at least), and Michigan isn’t prepared to accept. U-M is prepared to take this to court if necessary and is preparing an injunction for later in the week if the conference tries to suspend Harbaugh for the year.
Michigan would also be hesitant to accept a two-game suspension. If it’s the compromise that allows Harbaugh to coach against Ohio State Nov. 25, however, it could be on the table (“50-50’” one involved told us). But Ono and the administration are currently prepared to fight to allow Harbaugh to coach out the season.
U-M is confident they would be able to get the injunction if it came to that.
Josh Pate hinted today that things will be getting much worse for Michigan come Monday...
