Big Ten Commish Doesn't Think Michigan Should Be Disciplined More for Sign-Stealing

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti believes Michigan has paid a sufficient price for any violations connected to the 2023 sign-stealing scandal, according to ESPN's Dan Wetzel.

Wetzel reported Petitti wrote a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions and spoke in defense of the Wolverines.

"Petitti argued, sources said, that the Big Ten itself had already sufficiently punished the Michigan program when it suspended then-coach Jim Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 regular season: at Penn State, at Maryland and at home against Ohio State," per Wetzel.

The report outlined how the committee doesn't have to consider Petitti's argument in its final ruling.

Additional punishments could include vacating past achievements or issuing further suspensions to Harbaugh or other coaches involved in the situation. That includes current head coach Sherrone Moore, who was the offensive coordinator in 2023.

Wetzel and colleague Pete Thamel reported in May that Moore is expected to receive a two-game ban that's self-imposed by Michigan. That would apply to the team's third and fourth games, leaving him available to coach against Oklahoma on Sept. 6.

Citing a violation of the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy, Petitti originally handed down Harbaugh's suspension with three games left in the 2023 regular season. Michigan signaled its intention to take the matter to court, only to turn around and accept the decision a day out from a scheduled hearing.

The NCAA sent its notice of allegations to Michigan last August, detailing the evidence and allegations it discovered. Harbaugh has denied knowing of any sign-stealing, while former staffer Connor Stalions said he orchestrated the scheme without any guidance from Wolverines coaches.

Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger reported in January the school provided its response to the NCAA and said the organization was "grossly overreaching" and "wildly overcharging" the football program.

One way or another, it sounds as though the saga is winding toward a conclusion.