Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan Wolverines became perennial College Football Playoff contenders, defeating Ohio State three years in a row and making regular trips to the Big Ten Championship game. However, this could be Harbaugh’s final season in Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh needed time to restore the Michigan football program. Michigan won double-digit games in 2015 and 2016, but they also dropped six games. Worse, Harbaugh came up empty in his first five games versus Ohio State in “The Game,” and it haunted him.
Jim Harbaugh’s college record with the Michigan Wolverines is 85-25.
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It resulted in some much-needed coaching changes at Michigan. Now, the Wolverines are 37-3 over the previous three seasons, including two trips to the College Football Playoff Semifinals versus the Iowa Hawkeyes. Michigan will make the playoffs for the third year in a row if they win on Saturday.
However, a tumultuous 2023 season could be Harbaugh’s final with the Wolverines. He has already received two suspensions this season for infractions of NCAA rules, and depending on the outcome of the continuing NCAA investigation, he could face an even longer ban in 2024. With better discipline, it appears like a comeback to the NFL is attainable.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “this might be the year” Harbaugh transitions from coaching candidate to NFL head coach. He’s previously interviewed with teams, but he’s always converted that interest into a new contract extension and pay bump from Michigan.
Harbaugh, Jim 44-19-1 record in the NFL
The threat of NCAA sanctions, as well as the departure of numerous Michigan studs in the 2024 NFL Draft, could affect Harbaugh’s decision. He may assume he has accomplished everything he can at the collegiate level, leaving unfinished business in the NFL.
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Harbaugh would become one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL almost immediately, and any team that hired him would almost certainly have to hand over some control of the roster to a general manager Harbaugh trusts. While Harbaugh’s charisma can cause some conflict in a room, he has triumphed everywhere he has gone.
If Harbaugh leaves the Wolverines, Sherrone Moore is expected to take over as coach in 2024. Michigan may dedicate more revenue to Moore’s coaching staff and NIL financing to recruiting with less money spent on the head coach.
