Jim Harbaugh reprimanded for officiating rant, Michigan fined $10,000
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was reprimanded by the Big Ten for violating the league's sportsmanship policy in a postgame news conference Saturday following the Wolverines' double-overtime loss to Ohio State — in an outcome that likely cost Michigan a spot in the Playoff. And the school was fined $10,000.
The Big Ten issued a statement saying that Harbaugh's comments regarding officials were in violation with the league's 10.01 agreement, which states that: "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."
Michigan's Jim Harbaugh furious with officiating in loss to Ohio State
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's postgame rant on the officiating during the Wolverines' 30-27 double-overtime loss to Ohio State on Saturday has drawn a public reprimand from the Big Ten and $10,000 institutional fine for Michigan.
The conference stated in a release that Harbaugh violated the Big Ten sportsmanship policy.
"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, '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."
No. 2 Ohio State survives No. 4 Michigan in double overtime thriller
The statement added its own commentary: "Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for students and others in the area of sportsmanship. The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment."
Harbaugh's comments that he was "bitterly disappointed in the officiating" dominated his postgame press conference and shined light on the multiple officiating inconsistencies in the game. He cited the four-and-one spot that extended OSU's game-winning drive, spoke about multiple called and uncalled interference penalties and discussed his own unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he was told it was like a technical foul in basketball.
The Big Ten did not publicly address the officials' performance.
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Snyder writes for The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.