Heather Dinich outlines potential Big Ten punishments, hints at Jim Harbaugh suspension
Heather Dinich has shared the latest development as No. 3 Michigan is being investigated for allegedly conducting in-person scouting and sign-stealing tactics.
The ESPN reporter says that the Big Ten will issue its response to Michigan early Friday afternoon and that the conference is mulling over several punishments.
sources indicate a Big Ten response is coming early this afternoon. Michigan leaves at 1 and flies midafternoon out of Detroit after getting through security checks, per usual routine.
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 10, 2023
Please remember the Big Ten has considered a WIDE range of punishments – everything from indefinite suspension to public reprimand or lofty fine, sources tell me n @ESPNRittenberg … no assumptions. We have to wait for the news, but a suspension is certainly on the table.
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 10, 2023
“Sources indicate that the Big Ten will give Michigan a response early this afternoon,” Dinich said on ESPN’s Get Up. ‘The timing is interesting because Michigan leaves at 1 p.m., they’ll fly mid-afternoon out of Detroit after they go through security like they usually do.”
ESPN is reporting that Michigan has not been handed any evidence of Jim Harbaugh having knowledge of the situation.
“Last night, Michigan sources indicated to me and my colleague Adam Rittenberg that they had not had any communication with the Big Ten and also there still has not been evidence presented to Michigan that Jim Harbaugh knew about any of this, orchestrated any of it, or lied about it,” Dinich said. “Then the Big Ten, we’ve learned, has considered the gamut of punishments.”
The range of punishments include options as severe as a $1 million fine or an indefinite suspension for Harbaugh.
“Back this weekend they were thinking about an indefinite suspension, a 2-year suspension. Something as simple as a public reprimand. Something as lofty as a $1 million fine,” Dinich said. “Now, we’re hearing this morning, it could be a 3-game suspension, which obviously would be significant and it could start this weekend.”
Michigan faces host No. 10 Penn State on Saturday.