Months After Jim Harbaugh’s Suspension, Big Ten Commissioner Stuns College Football World by Defending Michigan

At the height of their national championship season in 2023, the Michigan Wolverines were investigated by both the Big Ten and the NCAA for an alleged sign-stealing scandal. As a result, head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended by the conference for the season’s final three games.

Although the NCAA has not yet issued additional penalties, further action is expected. However, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti recently sent a letter to the NCAA urging them not to impose any further punishment on Michigan. This marks a notable shift from his earlier stance when he handed down the suspension.

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Big Ten Commissioner Defends Michigan Against Further NCAA Punishment
During Michigan’s 2023 season, a staff member named Conner Stallions was accused of attending opponents’ games to steal their signals for the Wolverines.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh denied any knowledge of the scheme. Despite limited evidence directly linking Michigan to the allegations, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti suspended Harbaugh for the season’s final three games.

The NCAA has continued its investigation into the case and has reportedly discovered that new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, the team’s offensive coordinator during the 2023 season, deleted text messages with Conner Stallions after the scandal became public.

Amid the NCAA’s findings, Michigan proposed suspending Moore for two games in the 2025 season.

The NCAA could still issue additional penalties against the Wolverines, but in a surprising change of stance, Petitti reportedly sent a letter to the NCAA urging them not to take further action against Michigan.

B10 commissioner Tony Petitti sent the NCAA a letter arguing Michigan deserved no further punishment in its advanced scouting case

It’s notable considering Michigan’s past contentiousness toward Petitti when he first suspended Jim Harbaugh in 2023 https://t.co/ICK0SeSAga

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) July 21, 2025

According to ESPN’s Dan Wetzel, Petitti’s letter argued that the league had already punished the Wolverines enough by suspending Harbaugh for three games, including one against their bitter rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

“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,” Wetzel wrote.

Petitti’s sudden change of opinion on the Wolverines stunned the entire college football world.

Fans React to Petitti’s Letter Defending Michigan
Following Petitti’s change of stance, college football fans reacted strongly to his letter.

One fan highlighted Wetzel’s comment that, despite Petitti’s letter, the NCAA could still punish the Wolverines as it sees fit, including possibly stripping the team of its 2023 national title.

“The NCAA might still hit the Wolverines with penalties ranging from vacating past victories, a postseason ban, the suspension of coaches, a monetary fine or other measures.”

— BobbyDo2U (@bobbydo85) July 21, 2025

“The NCAA might still hit the Wolverines with penalties ranging from vacating past victories, a postseason ban, the suspension of coaches, a monetary fine or other measures,” the fan quoted Wetzel.

Another fan, clearly a Michigan supporter, rejected Petitti’s change of stance, noting that he was the one who originally punished the Wolverines despite little evidence.

Did Tony cite that he unprecedentedly suspended Harbaugh the final three games of the regular season hours before kickoff when the NCAA publicly stated they had no evidence of any wrongdoing?

Did he mention that?

Tony is a rat.

— Kroegs (@maybechadkroegs) July 21, 2025

“Did Tony cite that he unprecedentedly suspended Harbaugh the final three games of the regular season hours before kickoff when the NCAA publicly stated they had no evidence of any wrongdoing?” the fan wrote. “Did he mention that? Tony is a rat.”

Another Michigan fan took the opportunity to troll the team’s rivals following Petitti’s change of stance.

Rough morning In Columbus and East Lansing.

— Underwood Unleashed (@Underwood_szn) July 21, 2025

“Rough morning in Columbus and East Lansing,” the fan posted.

RELATED: Bryce Underwood Resets Expectations at Michigan As Analyst Lays Out Two-Part Mission for Sherrone Moore

Petitti’s letter to the NCAA marks a stark change of direction from where the Big Ten commissioner initially stood on the Michigan sign-stealing scandal. Despite his defense of Michigan, it is important to remember that his letter may have little or no impact on the NCAA’s final ruling and any penalties against the Wolverines.

While Petitti seems eager to move past this case, the NCAA may not share the same sentiment.