Opinion: Jim Harbaugh and Michigan Deserve the Death Penalty in College Football
I don’t think Harbaugh should be allowed to head the Michigan Wolverines any longer.
Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have found themselves at the heart of an unfathomable cheating scandal.
Without having seen the evidence, I’m presuming what multiple credible reporters at large national media have reported is correct. The harm done to the University of Michigan and college football in general by the alleged cheating scandal is irreparable, and I believe the Wolverines and coach Harbaugh should face the harshest penalty in college football history.
Is it unlawful to steal signs? No. Is it safe to assume that most teams want to obtain a competitive advantage, which includes figuring out what play their opponent is signaling in from the sidelines? Without a doubt. Is major college football becoming more competitive than ever before? Sure thing. Do certain programs, notably Michigan’s archrivals in Columbus, push themselves to an almost unachievable bar of excellence? Absolutely… and this adds to the pressure to win at any cost.
None of this is important. Ends never justify means in moral terms.
Cheating is still cheating. Either you follow the rules or you don’t. There is no room for ambiguity.
It makes no difference if you think certain rules are stupid or outdated. It makes no difference if the law requiring in-person scouting and the use of equipment to record signals was implemented as a cost-cutting measure. Over the last week, I’ve heard and read every possible justification.
You’re missing the point if you make such arguments in support of Michigan.
There are still numerous issues that need to be addressed. But, if what the Washington Post, ESPN, and Yahoo! Sports have reported is correct, there is only one possible outcome.
And it must occur rapidly.
Given the scope and complexity of this scandal, I believe Michigan should be barred from competing for the remainder of the season. That may appear harsh. Regrettably, actions have repercussions.
I believe it is critical to emphasize that tampering with the game’s integrity is the worst potential offense a program could commit. I don’t care if the punishment comes from the NCAA, the Big Ten, the College Football Playoff committee, or the University of Michigan.
For what it’s worth, I don’t believe the NCAA will act so harshly AND so quickly. There is far too much money to be earned in Michigan football, and the legal battles that would result would almost certainly not be worth the trouble.
The University of Michigan’s Board of Trustees and president, Dr. Santa Ono, must send a clear message that they do not condone what has occurred and must terminate Jim Harbaugh’s contract. Anything less is not acceptable.
There are just two alternatives here: either Harbaugh was aware of the cheating or he was unaware… I’m having trouble deciding which is worst.
If he knew they were cheating – and even if it wasn’t his idea and he never encouraged anyone to do it – he tainted the game’s integrity and permanently damaged his reputation. If what is being alleged is correct, what he did is no different than what Pete Rose did in baseball. Being labeled a cheater is not something that can be easily erased.
If he didn’t know… if he was absolutely and totally in the dark… how could Michigan (or any NFL organization) ever trust him to run a program/lead a squad again? How could something so heinous occur on your watch without your knowledge? It’s essentially your job to be aware. If that’s accurate, it’s a stunning indictment of his capacity to lead.
Even if he didn’t believe the sign-stealing information they had was obtained unlawfully, did it ever occur to him that they must have the best sign-stealing intel in college football history?
Both results are undeniably lethal.
Forget about the actual X’s and O’s of the work for a minute. As a football coach, you have the job of shaping young men. You are expected to model the ideals of teamwork, sacrifice, and honesty by living them every day. You’re expected to set a good example, because deeds, more than words, speak louder than words these days. No matter what level of football you coach, any coach worth their salt will tell you that the title “coach” is sacred. The integrity of a man is crucial, especially when he is in a position of leadership.
Let’s not forget that Harbaugh already lied to the NCAA about a minor recruiting violation earlier this year. He doesn’t have a foothold here. Why should we believe him about something so significant if he lied about buying food for recruits during a dead period?
I’m not aware of any other program in America that has someone in Connor Stallion’s position with that much access to the coordinators on game day and so much involvement in the game plan. He’s been with the company for a long time. This hasn’t been going on for a few of months this season. The Washington Post, ESPN, and Yahoo! Sports have all reported that there is proof that this has been going on for several seasons.
Some of the arguments I’ve read or heard from Michigan fans in the last week have baffled me. There is no going back now. The administration of Michigan should not allow coach Harbaugh and his team to continue managing this program. Nothing could possibly excuse that.
