Big 10 informs Michigan discipline is a possibility

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterNov 6, 2023, 05:56 PM ET

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• College football reporter.
• Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.The Big 10 formally informed Michigan that it could be dealing with disciplinary action from the league, a Michigan authorities told ESPN.The letter sent to Michigan becomes part of the Big 10’s sportsmanship policy, which needs a notice of disciplinary action”in case it becomes clear that an institution is likely to be subjected to disciplinary action. “The NCAA is investigating Michigan for illegal off-campus hunting and signal stealing, however Big 10 commissioner Tony Petitti has the authority to impose discipline under the sportsmanship policy before the lengthy NCAA investigative and offenses procedure concludes.The Big 10’s letter mentions proof of the illegal signal stealing, which compromised competitive integrity and other principles of

  the sportsmanship policy, according to sources.Michigan has till Wednesday to react to the Big 10, according to sources. Athletic director Warde Manuel on Monday stated he will not take a trip to Texas for College Football Playoff

  selection committee conferences, and will stay on school “attending to concerns regarding the continuous examination into our football program.”Editor’s Picks 2 Related Petitti on Friday met with Michigan president Santa Ono in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he evaluated some of the information obtained from the NCAA about Michigan’s alleged

  signal-stealing operation. Connor

  Stalions, a Michigan analyst believed to be at the center of the NCAA’s examination, resigned from his position Friday after at first being suspended with pay.Potential Big 10 discipline for Michigan likely would be a suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh rather than any team-related punishment, according to sources. The league’s sportsmanship policy allows Petitti to impose up to a two-game suspension and

  a$ 10,000 fine as basic discipline. Any discipline going beyond those marks would fall under significant disciplinary action, and would need approval from the joint group executive committee, that includes authorities from a number of Huge Ten schools.If the Big 10 enforces discipline, Michigan and Harbaugh are anticipated to check out all legal choices to press back versus the league, according to sources. Although the sportsmanship policy grants Petitti the authority to”figure out whether offensive actions have happened, “the Big 10’s handbook likewise mentions”NCAA initiated cases “and keeps in mind that in those cases, its compliance and reinstatement committee”might impose additional penalties, if warranted, subsequent to the NCAA action.”” We’re going to explore every choice to make sure Michigan is dealt with relatively,”a source informed ESPN.Ono emailed Petitti in advance of their Friday conference, advising him to regard due procedure and the ongoing NCAA examination.”It’s specifically at these times– when all essential facts are not understood but others are all too comfy providing strongly held viewpoints– that it is essential for everyone to guarantee that investigations are conducted relatively and that conclusions are based upon what really happened,”Ono, who shared his email with the other Big 10 presidents and chancellors, wrote to Petitti.

  “The reputation and incomes of coaches, students, and programs can not be sacrificed in a rush to judgment, no matter how many and how loudly individuals oppose otherwise. Due procedure matters. “We, as would any other member of the Big10, should have absolutely nothing less. Our trainees, our coaches, our program– all are entitled to a reasonable, intentional, thoughtful process.”