Harbaugh Reprimanded, Michigan Fined For Coach's Post-Game Rant

By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid

If Jim Harbaugh was "bitterly disappointed" in the officiating following Michigan's loss to Ohio State on Saturday, it appears the Big Ten was equally disappointed in Harbaugh.

On Monday, the conference issued Harbaugh a public reprimand for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy during his post-game rant about the officials. Michigan was fined $10,000 because of the violation.

Per Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, "The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials."

In his post-game press conference on Saturday, Harbaugh berated the officials for what he considered a number of poor decisions. He cited a pass interference penalty against Delano Hill, the lack of a pass interference penalty against Ohio State's Gereon Conley and later suggested the game was decided by the first-down ruling on J.T. Barrett's fourth-down run in double overtime.

The Buckeyes won on the ensuing play.

Harbaugh himself incurred an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty earlier in the game, when he threw his play sheet in the air and slammed his headset into the ground in protest of a call.

"Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for students and others in the area of sportsmanship," says the conference statement.

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• Jim Harbaugh