Michigan State head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended from playing in the Big 10 finals

The decision was announced Friday after the University of Michigan football coach was previously charged with sign theft

AP photo/Paul Sancya

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

The conference said Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will not attend the remaining Big Ten games this year.

“The Big Ten Conference announced today that the University of Michigan has been found to have violated the Big Ten Athletic Policy for conducting unacceptable in-person scouting operations over many years that resulted in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of the competition,” the organization announced Friday.

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Big 10 Michigan

That means Harbaugh, 59, will have to miss the final three conference games this football season. The announcement follows a week-long investigation by the NCAA into the head coach over sign theft.

Related: Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will donate his bonuses to sports workers affected by the pandemic

“The Big Ten Conference expects all competitions involving member institutions to be conducted without compromise on any fundamental elements of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include the integrity of the competition, courtesy towards all and respect, especially towards opponents and referees,” Friday’s statement continued.

According to the Big Ten, because of Harbaugh’s penalty, the University of Michigan football team “must compete without the head football coach for games remaining in the 2023 regular season, effective immediately.”

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Michigan Wolverines players line up at the line of scrimmage

However, all is not lost for college athletes. Although the head coach cannot attend matches, he or she can help his or her team prepare by being present at practices or other football team activities.

On October 30, Harbaugh spoke at a news conference during which he addressed the sign-stealing scandal in the presence of the media for the first time since the investigation was publicly announced in mid-October.

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The Wolverines’ head coach began by explaining that he would not be able to go into specifics about the matter, which is actively being investigated, but stated that he was still working with the university despite reports that his coaching contract offer had been rescinded.

“The team is refreshed, I am refreshed,” Harbaugh said. “Being able to spend time with my family after a pretty good week of training last week, I was able to get a few things done. We are in continuation mode. So to answer your question specifically, I model a single-track mind, and I see that throughout the program.”

When news of the investigation first broke, the former quarterback released a statement that he planned to “cooperate fully.”

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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

“I want to make clear that my staff and I will cooperate fully with the investigation into this matter,” Harbaugh said on October 19. “I have no knowledge or information of illegal signal theft by the University of Michigan football program, nor have I directed any staff member or other individuals to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment.”

He continued to maintain his innocence in the case.

“I am not aware of anyone on our staff doing anything like this or directing any such activity. I do not condone or condone anyone doing anything illegal or contrary to NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization I have led throughout my career, my instruction and awareness of how we recognize our opponents has always been in strict alignment with the principles. Per NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”

Michigan hosts Penn State in Pennsylvania on Saturday at noon.

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