Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh accepts 3-game suspension, Big Ten closes its investigation

Jim Harbaugh will accept his three-game suspension from the Big Ten, according to a news release from Michigan on Thursday afternoon, as the conference is closing its investigation into allegations that the team illegally stole signals over the last three seasons.

“This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation. The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension,” the university said in a statement. “Coach Harbaugh, with the university’s support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field.

“The Conference has confirmed it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations,” the school said. “The University continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation.”

The NCAA’s investigation into the program is still ongoing.

Harbaugh served the first game of his suspension last week, missing Michigan’s win over Penn State in Happy Valley. The Big Ten announced its suspension a day prior to the game. The school sought an injunction to put the suspension on hold, but a hearing was delayed until Nov. 17. That hearing will no longer take place.

Harbaugh will miss Michigan’s final two games of the regular season as it faces Maryland on Saturday before taking on Ohio State the following week for a berth into the Big Ten Championship Game.