The Michigan Wolverines have enjoyed an incredible stretch of success over the last three seasons, resulting in three straight wins over Ohio State, three straight Big Ten Championships, and a National Championship. Although a whole host of people have played critical roles in that success, head coach Jim Harbaugh has been the architect at the heart of it all.
With Harbaugh leading the way, the Wolverines have put together an 89-25 record since 2015, including an impressive 40-3 record over the last three seasons. He’s assembled a staff full of guys who know how to recruit the right type of players for the program, and guys who know how to get the most out of the prospects that choose to come to Ann Arbor.
Top to bottom, Jim Harbaugh has done everything Michigan fans hoped he would do when he accepted the position back in 2015.
While all of that is great, Harbaugh’s annual dance with the NFL has routinely put Michigan in a precarious position. Even on the heels of capturing the biggest prize in all of college football, the early off-season conversation surrounding the program is once again centered around whether or not Jim Harbaugh will remain with the program. Fans are once again calling on University President Santa Ono to act, while also blaming Athletic Director Warde Manuel for failing to put a contract extension in front of Harbaugh that he can’t refuse.
Although some of the frustration aimed at U-M officials might be justified, Harbaugh is also equally as responsible for the uncertainty surrounding his future at Michigan. Although he’s never shied away from his love for Michigan, he’s also been up front about his desire to chase a Super Bowl in the NFL.
Shortly after interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings back in 2022, Harbaugh explained his thought process.
“There was a tugging at me that I was once that close to a Super Bowl, and I didn’t get it. Some NFL jobs came open. I was contacted by the (Minnesota) Vikings.
“For better or for worse, it was something I wanted to explore. I went in thinking, ‘I’m gonna have 100 percent conviction on this, and if they (Minnesota) have 100 percent conviction on this, then it’s something I’m gonna do.”
Ultimately, both sides decided to move on and Harbaugh would remain at the University of Michigan. Upon his return, Harbaugh recalled a conversation he had with Manuel.
I called Warde and I asked him if he wanted me to be the head coach. And he said, ‘Yes, 100%.’ And I said, OK, then. That’s what I want to do.’
And I told him, ‘Warde, this will not be a recurring theme every year. This was a one-time thing.
As it turns out, it wasn’t a one time thing.
Harbaugh would end up interviewing with the Broncos prior to the 2023 season, and he’s now interviewed with two NFL teams – the Los Angeles Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons – not even two weeks after leading Michigan to a National Championship. In fact, Harbaugh is currently scheduled for his second interview with the Falcons next week.
Based on all that he has achieved, I think Jim Harbaugh has every right to pursue any and all opportunities for an NFL return if that’s what he truly wants. He’s accomplished everything he was expected to accomplish at the University of Michigan, and if he were to ride off into the sunset after bringing a National Championship back to Ann Arbor it would almost be poetic.
At the same time, the annual flirtation with the NFL is something that seems unsustainable for a program looking to achieve long-term success. While other programs are loading up with elite recruiting classes and taking advantage of the transfer portal, the Michigan Football program is essentially in limbo once again as it waits for a decision from Harbaugh one way or the other.
To be clear, the outlook for Michigan is far from being “doom and gloom”. The program is in a great spot and has proven that it has the right pieces in place to succeed at the highest level. But sustained success also requires a commitment from key pieces of the equation, most importantly the man running the program itself.
