The former Big 12 commissioner weighed in on the most talked about topic in college athletics.
We should know in the very near future whether or not Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettiti will impose a suspension on Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. This is reportedly related to the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into Connor Stalions’ apparently rogue mission to steal signs from Michigan’s opponents.
Of course, there’s no indication Harbaugh knew what the Stallions allegedly did — with the NCAA saying it found no evidence linking the Michigan head coach to the affair — but the rest of the Big Ten is “outraged”, even though there is new allegations this Purdue, Rutgers And state of ohio also had the Wolverines’ signs and used them against them.
Whatever happens, Pettiti finds himself in a difficult situation. If he doesn’t suspend Harbaugh, every other program will be angry. If he imposes a suspension, it’s pretty much a guarantee that the university and Harbaugh will take the matter to court and get an injunction, keeping Harbaugh out.
It’s apparently a lose-lose situation for Pettiti, but it’s one that a former Power Five commissioner — who is probably grateful not to be in Pettiti’s current position — believes should be addressed. of due process.
“You shouldn’t rush to judgment,” said Steven Hatchell, former Big 12 commissioner and current CEO of the National Football Foundation. told On3 Wednesday. “If it happened in February or March, in relation to football there would be no pressure. We’re right in the middle of football season, with the end of the season approaching and bigger ramifications. So this sheds more light on the situation at the moment. It appears that the commissioner and others have provided very thoughtful guidance. You just can’t rush to judgment.
Hatchell raises a good point. Had this been disclosed during the offseason, Pettiti would not be forced to issue a suspension. The NCAA, which has been investigating this matter since the beginning, has yet to even provide Michigan with an official notice of the allegations. If Pettiti were to issue a suspension — especially when three other programs also allegedly colluded and, possibly, violated the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy — it would be an unprecedented move, and a hypocritical one at that.
Additionally, Hatchell believed the position taken by the College Football Playoff committee, saying the investigation was an NCAA issue and not a CFP issue, was the correct one.
“I saw that from (CFP Executive Director) Bill Hancock, that this is not a board, and I think that’s accurate,” Hatchell said. “They evaluate what’s happening on the field and throughout the season. I think it would be a mistake for them, even though they don’t advocate it at all.
“It would be a mistake for them to say, ‘Well, we won’t consider any institution because we think there might be problems in the future.’ “Just keep doing what you’re doing and make the playoffs for the year, then see what happens after that.
A ruling from Pettiti is expected to be issued Thursday. We’ll have the latest news right here on Maize n Brew.
Learn more
