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JJ McCarthy uses warmup shirt to protest Jim Harbaugh’s suspension

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

J.J. McCarthy is speaking about Jim Harbaugh’s absence from the sidelines on Saturday.

Ahead of Michigan’s Week 1 game against East Carolina, McCarthy altered a warmup shirt to read “Free Harbaugh.”

Harbaugh is serving a 3-game suspension to begin the 2023 season. While the suspension is self-imposed, it is tied to the NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations committed by Harbaugh. Jesse Minter is serving as Michigan’s interim head coach for the ECU game.

Harbaugh will also miss Michigan’s home games against UNLV (Sept. 9) and Bowling Green (Sept. 16). With Harbaugh only out for 3 non-conference games in which Michigan is heavily favored, some feel Harbaugh is getting off easy. The U-M head coach has felt a much greater impact.

Michigan’s win total over/under for the 2023 regular season is set at 10.5 victories coming off back-to-back trips to the College Football Playoff. Interested fans can get in on that action by using our BetMGM Michigan promo code.

“I’ve heard people comment ‘It’s a slap on the wrist.’ It’s more like a baseball bat to the kneecaps or to the shoulder,” Harbaugh said on Aug. 28.

Saturday’s game for the Harbaugh-less Wolverines is set for noon ET, airing on Peacock.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.