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Jim Harbaugh is no longer a part of the Michigan football program, bolting for the NFL after winning a national title in Ann Arbor. Still, he was expected to be on the sidelines for the Wolverines‘ opener in 2024.
It was previously announced that the former head coach would an honorary captain when UM takes on Fresno State at the end of the month.
That decision was met with immediate criticism given the NCAA’s current investigation into the program.
Harbaugh received a four-year show cause stemming from recruiting violations during his time with the team. That essentially bars him from coaching at the college level for the foreseeable future.
A one-year suspension was tacked onto that ruling, making Harbaugh’s current NFL status rather permanent for the next handful of seasons.
Also under scrutiny is the sign-stealing scandal that swept through college football last year, somewhat overshadowing what the Wolverines accomplished on the field. Harbaugh’s replacement, Sherrone Moore, is now dealing with the repercussions.
Through it all, Jim Harbaugh has maintained his innocence. Still, many saw his season opening invite to be one last way to stick it to the NCAA. He could still roam the sidelines despite his NCAA ban!
It now seems the head coach is spurning the chance to do so.
Sherrone Moore says that Jim Harbaugh will no longer be the honorary captain for the Aug. 31 game. Says he decided to stay “in the foxhole” with the Chargers instead of taking a “deep, long bow.”
-Anthony Broome / X:@anthonytbroome
Harbaugh’s decided to spend the preseason with his new squad in Los Angeles as opposed to making an appearance in Ann Arbor. It seems we won’t see the head coach in the Big House this season after all.
The Wolverines are hoping to defend their crown in ’24, though there is much to replace. In addition to changes with the coaching staff, Michigan’s lost production on both sides of the ball headlined by Top 10 pick JJ McCarthy.
They’ll begin that title defense on August 31 while moving into a new era. They’ll look to move from under the shadow currently covering the program in the process.