Jim Harbaugh: "You're Innocent Until Proven Guilty...I'd Like That Opportunity"
Jim Harbaugh found out Friday afternoon, while in the air on the way to State College, Pa., that he was suspended and wouldn't be allowed to coach against the Nittany Lions. Now, he'll stand before a judge on Friday in order to find out of the injunction will put his punishment on hold long enough to coach this weekend in College Park, Md. and possible next weekend back in Ann Arbor against the Buckeyes.
Before fielding any other questions today, Harbaugh went over a prepared statement that outlined how he's currently feleing and approaching everything to do with the sign-stealing allegations and the upcoming hearing.
"I'm just looking for that opportunity; due process," Harbaugh explained. "I'm not looking for special treatment, not looking for a popularity contest, just looking for the merit of what the case is.
"When I was a senior in high school, I had a civics class that talked about government and justice, and what I took away from that class was that you're innocent until proven guilty. That was 40 years ago, but I'd like that opportunity."
Harbaugh continues to double down on his stance and has said all along that he had no knowledge of what Connor Stalions was doing. Harbaugh also let everyone know that he found out that he was suspended via social media, not directly from someone at the Big Ten. It didn't seem to bother Harbaugh himself very much, but someone else at Michigan was none too pleased.
"Warde [Manuel] was pretty upset," Harbaugh said. "He was on the plane too and he was pretty upset that he heard through social media and not through through the Big Ten office."
Overall, Harbaugh has received a ton of support from Manuel, university president Santa Ono, the board of regents, the alumni network and, of course, the fans. Harbaugh will have his day in court on Friday, and he's ready for that as well.
"I'm not going to talk much about what's going on, but I have an opportunity on Friday to do that," he said.
