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1 year ago
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Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday he found out about his three-game suspension not from the Big Ten's offices, but instead on social media.
'Someone showed me their phone,' Harbaugh said about how he found out he can't coach the Wolverines final three games of the regular season amid the team's sign-stealing scandal.
Harbaugh said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel was with him when he found out about the suspension.
Manuel was 'pretty upset' the Big Ten didn't contact him or Harbaugh directly about the suspension, according to the head coach.
Replacing Harbaugh in charge of the Wolverines on the road for Saturday's 24-15 over nationally ranked Penn State was team offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who went viral when he sobbed and cursed during his live post-game TV interview.
Jim Harbaugh wasn't on the sidelines for Michigan's win over Penn State on Saturday
Michigan fans want Harbaugh back on the sidelines despite his three-game suspension
Harbaugh received the three-game suspension as Michigan has become involved in a sign-stealing scandal.
The alleged sign-stealing involved in-person scouting of opponents, some dating back three seasons, which isn't allowed under NCAA rules.
Both Michigan and the Big Ten Conference have been investigating the claims into cheating, all while the Wolverines' possible-national-championship season continues.
Harbaugh has denied any wrongdoing of scouting opponents within his program , yet Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti didn't wait for any official ruling to hand down a three-game suspension.
Michigan did state it would challenge any discipline to Harbaugh, as the coach already served a self-imposed three-game suspension to start the season.
A hearing will take place Friday that could strike down the Big Ten's decision to suspend Harbaugh.
Rival fans, meanwhile, had strong thoughts on what the punishment should be for Harbaugh
Harbaugh would be eligible to return to the sidelines for the Big Ten Championship game
There are no rules against trying to decode an opposing teams signals, such as play calls.
However, there are distinct rules against in-person scouting of future opponents during the season.
Michigan's case surrounds former staff member Connor Stalions, who allegedly purchased tickets to the Wolverine's future opponents' games to try and figure out signals from the sidelines.
None of the uproar about Michigan's alleged misbehavior affected it against Penn State.
On Monday, Harbaugh said he was 'five inches from the TV' as he watched the post-game drama unfold.
'I want to thank the Lord. I want to thank Coach Harbaugh. I f***ing love you man. Love the s*** out of you man,' Moore said Saturday.
'This is for you, for this university, the president, our AD. We got the best players, the best university, best alumni in the country. Love you guys. These f***ing guys right here,' Moore added. 'These guys did it. I love you.'
Harbaugh demonstrates how far he was sitting from the television to watch Moore's interview
Sherrone Moore was tearful in his postgame interview, thanking Harbaugh for the opportunity
Moore will also lead the Wolverines into their next game on Saturday on the road against Maryland.
Harbaugh believes Michigan should be more beloved than by Wolverines' fans because of his ordeal.
'The perseverance and the stalwartness of these guys, I mean ... it's gotta be America's team,' Harbaugh said. 'America loves a team that beats the odds, beats the adversity, overcomes what the naysayers, critics, so-called experts think.'
'That's my favorite kind of team. Watching it from that view on the television, finally people get to see what I see every day,' Harbaugh added.
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