Jim Harbaugh did what he needed to do in college when he led Michigan to a College Football Playoff National Championship win in 2023, but a Super Bowl title remains the elusive goal for him.
Harbaugh, making his first public comments since his departure from Michigan, told CBS Sports before the Ravens-Chiefs game that he left Michigan because of his pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy.
“It was tough,” Harbaugh said during CBS Sports’ pregame coverage of the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. “I was torn. My wife and kids (were too). I love Michigan. But I love the NFL, too, and there’s no Lombardi Trophy in college football. I’ve got so many sands left in the hour glass, and I want to take a crack at that. There’s no better place to do it than with the Los Angeles Chargers.”
Harbaugh left the 49ers after the 2014 season and immediately joined Michigan. His team would struggle to get past key rivals through the first several seasons of his coaching tenure, but he later guided Michigan to three straight wins over Ohio State, three straight Big Ten titles, and three straight College Football Playoff berths.
His final game ended with a national championship over No. 2 Washington, capping off an undefeated season for Michigan.
His final year also ended with controversy filled with suspensions and a major cheating scandal that is still being investigated.
