Former Ohio State Coach Demands NFL Punish Rival Harbaugh Over NCAA Scandal

In a recent episode of "The Triple Option Podcast," former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has called for the NFL to punish Jim Harbaugh, the ex-Michigan coach who now leads the Los Angeles Chargers, over the Wolverines' sign-stealing scandal.

Last week, the NCAA disciplined Michigan following an investigation into an elaborate scheme to circumvent rules and film opponents' signals. The NCAA fined the school tens of millions of dollars and handed Harbaugh a 10-year show-cause order, effectively banning him from coaching in college until 2038. However, the NCAA spared Michigan from a postseason ban as punishment.

Meyer referenced a precedent set when Jim Tressel, his predecessor at Ohio State, faced an NFL suspension after leaving the Buckeyes amid an NCAA investigation. Tressel was forced to resign from Ohio State following the scandal over improper benefits received by some of his players. When Tressel later joined the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL suspended him for the first six games of the season out of respect for the NCAA's punishment.

Meyer argues the NFL should take similar action against Harbaugh, stating, "Any chance that Roger Goodell and the NFL (would suspend Harbaugh)? Of course not." The former Buckeyes coach believes the league should hold Harbaugh accountable for the sign-stealing scheme that occurred under his watch at Michigan.