ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Athletic Director at the University of Michigan, Warde Manuel, has released a statement responding to Friday's Big Ten Conference decision to ban Jim Harbaugh from coaching at Michigan's three remaining regular-season games.
In making the decision to ban Harbaugh, the conference is defying a warning from the second-ranked Wolverines in an extraordinary confrontation over an alleged sign-stealing scheme that has rocked college football.
Manuel began by saying he wants to make it clear that no one at the University of Michigan is happy to hear of the allegations and preliminary evidence about in-person scouting and sign stealing.
"We, like every institution in this country, preach and educate all of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, to adhere to rules and ask questions if something is unclear," Manuel said.
He went on to say despite this, no one at the University of Michigan wants to be "convicted and penalized without due process of a complete investigation," especially if it causes harm to the university's student-athletes.
"This is a fundamental principle of our justice, NCAA and, until yesterday, our conference systems. Sadly, that is not what happened yesterday," Manuel said.
He said Coach Harbaugh was penalized without knowing all the facts.
"...I find that completely unethical, insulting to a well-established process within the NCAA, and an assault on the rights of everyone (especially in the Big Ten) to be judged by a fair and complete investigation," Manuel said.
He also warned of the repercussions a decision like this can have on the standards of the conference.
"All of the Head Coaches in the Big Ten (some who have been accused of actively participating in the trading of signals of opponents) and my Big Ten AD colleagues can rejoice today that someone was 'held accountable,' but they should be worried about the new standard of judgment (without complete investigation) that has been unleashed in this conference," Manuel said.
Manuel said while Harbaugh may not be on the sidelines, they look forward to defending him and his right to coach the team at the hearing being held Friday.
"He has instilled his pride, passion, and the team's belief in themselves to achieve greatness. I will continue to support Jim throughout this process, my coaches and staff, and especially our student-athletes as we continue to play this game and fight to win for Michigan and all who love us," Manuel said.
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