Ahead of the National Championship, the main headlines will be about Jim Harbaugh’s decision regarding his future at Michigan after Monday night. The two decisions: stay at Michigan or head back to the NFL. Paul Finebaum states that he’s likely to do the latter.
For the first time since 1997, the Wolverines are in the National Championship and taking on future Big 10 opponent the Washington Huskies. The Wolverines proved themselves this season when they rattled off several wins why Harbaugh was watching from afar.
Harbaugh’s Michigan Legacy
Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have a unique legacy that only a few have. Harbaugh, a former quarterback for Michigan, grew up idolizing playing in Ann Arbor. He was hired by Michigan in 2014 to return them as a powerhouse in the College Football landscape. The ultimate was to win a National Championship, which the pairing has a chance to do on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Harbaugh was arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the Wolverines’ history. For example, finishing third in Heisman voting in 1986. He finished with a 63.2% Completion Percentage, throwing for 5,214 Passing Yards and 31 Touchdowns. Since taking over as the head coach, Harbaugh has led Michigan to an 85-25 record, three straight Big Ten Championships, and three playoff berths.
Successful NFL Stint
One possible reason why analysts and executives believe Harbaugh could make the jump to the NFL is because he was very successful in his first stint with the 49ers. In his first season in 2011, Harbaugh won coach of the year and led them to a 13-3 record along with a trip to the NFC Championship.
He ended up duplicating that success the following year, leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl against his brother John who is still the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
For Harbaugh, the goal when he was hired at Michigan was to bring a National Championship and be a top-five program. As of now, he has done one out of two, all he is missing is the big one. On Monday he has the chance to do that. For Michigan’s side, he has the chance to make the Wolverines even better. If he stays, the recruiting side will draw more prospects to want to come to Ann Arbor.
Jim Harbaugh’s decision relies on whether he is itching to win the Super Bowl after proving he can be successful in both the NFL and in College Football. If he does choose the route of leaving the Wolverines, the best head coaching vacancy would be the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers and Harbaugh are a perfect match with Harbaugh being a former quarterback. He is drawn to talented quarterbacks. While he was with the 49ers, he didn’t necessarily have that but the Chargers already do with Justin Herbert.
The head coaching landscape in both the NFL and in College could change depending on Harbaugh’s decision after Monday.
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