Many expect that Jim Harbaugh will walk away from Michigan once the Wolverines’ season is over.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum is among those who reckon the Michigan head coach will return to the NFL in 2024. He also believes that the head coach will get on the trek as soon as the National Title game is over.
Speaking on ‘Get Up’ this Wednesday morning, Finebaum pointed out that Harbaugh could have his pick of several NFL teams, while he has a potential suspension hanging over him where college football is concerned. So he doesn’t see any reason for him to remain in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines are still under investigation for alleged sign stealing, with Harbaugh missing the last three games of the regular season due to a Big Ten-imposed suspension. The NCAA has yet to reveal its findings and could be waiting for the season to end to do so.
“He’s already accomplished what he set out to do, and that’s make Michigan relevant again,” the analyst said. “Three straight [College Football] Playoff appearances and a national title game is relevant. But that’s not the real reason.
“He’s got the NCAA around the corner, and people are saying, ‘Hasn’t the NCAA already been there?’ Yeah, we know the narrative. He was suspended twice this year – six games. But the NCAA is looking into all of these allegations in one box and there’s a lot of speculation that Jim Harbaugh could get suspended again next year.”
“So, it’s pretty simple. If you have a shot at four NFL franchises and they’re coveting you, and on the other hand, you’re facing the NCAA after you’ve already accomplished pretty much everything you’ve set out to do, it’s a very easy answer,” Finebaum added. “He is leaving Michigan after next Monday night.”
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Harbaugh deftly avoided a question about potentially taking up an NFL job after leading Michigan to a Rose Bowl win over Alabama on Monday.
“My future consists of a happy flight back to Ann Arbor, Michigan,” he said.
The Wolverines will play the Washington Huskies in next Monday’s national title game.
