Jim Harbaugh was unhappy with the officiating in Michigan’s loss to rival Ohio State, and it ended up getting him in trouble.
After the Buckeyes beat Michigan 30-27 in double overtime Saturday, the Wolverines coach said he was “bitterly disppointed” in what he thought were “outrageous calls,” including a controversial spot on fourth down in the fourth quarter that gave Ohio State a first down and started a 10-0 run to force overtime. But the Big Ten wasn’t pleased with Harbaugh’s comments and announced Tuesday in a public reprimand that Michigan would be fined $10,000.
“The Big Ten determined that Harbaugh’s postgame comments regarding officials were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that ‘The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship,'” the conference’s statement said. “‘Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.’ Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for students and others in the area of sportsmanship.”
Michigan didn’t have much to say about the punishment.
“The Big Ten has made a decision,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said, per ESPN.com. “We also consider this matter concluded and will have no further comment.”
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