Michigan ACCEPTS three-game ban for Jim Harbaugh over sign-stealing scandal as school withdraws its legal challenge and Big 10 promises to close its investigation

Michigan has agreed to accept coach Jim Harbaugh's suspension amid the school's sign-stealing scandal.

The school had lodged a legal challenge against the Big Ten, with a hearing previously set for Friday, but Harbaugh will now miss games against Maryland and Ohio State.

At the same time, the Big Ten will close its investigation into the coach. 

Michigan said in a statement on Thursday, 'This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation. The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension. 

'Coach Harbaugh, with the University's support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.'

The Big Ten added, 'Today’s decision by the University of Michigan to withdraw its legal challenge against the Conference’s November 10th Notice of Disciplinary Action is indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the University seek to uphold.'

The NCAA has investigated Michigan for allegedly sending now-former staffer Connor Stalions, and possibly other staff, to opponents' games to record video that would be used to decode their in-game signals.

The Big Ten announced last week that Harbaugh was prohibited from coaching on the sideline until the postseason, with the school found to be 'in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.'

Harbaugh is allowed to coach practices during the week.