The Michigan Wolverines, particularly head coach Jim Harbaugh, have been in the NCAA spotlight for the past month as a result of an elaborate sign-stealing scandal. The Big Ten Conference, the league in which Michigan competes under the umbrella of the NCAA, suspended Harbaugh for three games for program violations, effectively sidelining him for the rest of the 2023 regular season.
As a result of the fallout, linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired, and staffer Connor Stalions resigned. However, with the NCAA still awaiting a decision, the NFL has moved on from the scandal while harboring no ill will toward Harbaugh.
“All the teams I’ve talked to say regardless of what we hear in that investigation, that’s not going to affect the way we look at Jim Harbaugh if he wants to come back and coach in the NFL.” @JayGlazer has more on Jim Harbaugh possibly returning to the NFL
Jay Glazer, NFL Insider: The NFL Is Moving On From the Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal
Fox Sports NFL pregame host Jay Glazer spoke to a national audience during the pregame leading up to the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers, discussing the NFL’s thoughts on Jim Harbaugh in the aftermath of his program’s sign-stealing scandal.
“All the teams I’ve talked to say, regardless of what we hear in that investigation, that’s not going to affect the way we look at Jim Harbaugh if he wants to come back and coach in the NFL,” Glazer said at the start of the day.
Jim Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons, from 2011 to 2014. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2011 and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012.
Glazer went on to say, “I actually think for the NFL, they have kind of moved on from this.” Jim Harbaugh has already been suspended three games by the Big Ten, while the NCAA has yet to impose any further sanctions on the Michigan Wolverines. Harbaugh’s role in the scandal has been characterized as one of ignorance.
“Well, he wins wherever he is… and NFL owners want to win,” said fellow Fox Sports host Curt Menefee. Since 2015, Jim Harbaugh has led the Michigan Wolverines to an 82-25 record. He also had a 58-27 record as a frontman for the San Diego Toreros and Stanford Cardinal in the 2000s. Meanwhile, with the San Francisco 49ers, he was 44-19-1.
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The Michigan Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh are vying for their third consecutive playoff appearance.
The Michigan Wolverines are 11-0 heading into their regular-season finale against the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are also undefeated. The winner of one of the longest-running rivalries will almost certainly secure a playoff spot, while the loser will need luck to punch their ticket. Michigan and Jim Harbaugh have made the College Football Playoff both seasons but have yet to win a game.
