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Michigan Football: 3 Things that must happen if Jim Harbaugh isn’t fired

By Chris Peterson

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines talks with coaches during the fourth quarter at SHI Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan defeated Rutgers 48-42 in triple overtime. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines talks with coaches during the fourth quarter at SHI Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan defeated Rutgers 48-42 in triple overtime. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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At this point, if I was a betting man, I would bet on Jim Harbaugh being back as Michigan football’s head coach in 2021 and beyond.

With the news that Michigan football won’t play Maryland this week and maybe not Ohio State next week, the 2020 season might be done for the Wolverines.

And for as miserable as it was, that probably won’t be a huge disappointment to a lot of Michigan football fans, although the program certainly isn’t waiving the “white flag” as Kirk Herbstreit stupidly suggested and good for Warde Manuel for standing up for U-M.

But truth to be told, Manuel has much bigger fish to fry than Herbstreit right now. He has quite possibly the most important decision to make during his tenure as athletic director.

What to do with Jim Harbaugh?

Before the season started, it probably seemed like an easy decision to Manuel, despite what many of the outside voices were saying. Harbaugh did build Michigan football back into a consistent winner and one that consistently won Big Ten games, something Brady Hoke and Rich Rod didn’t.

But due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons, an extension was never signed and then this season, the bottom fell out.

Michigan football went 2-4 and lost some ugly games on the way. The Wolverines went 0-3 at home and if they did play the Buckeyes, it would surely be a sixth-straight loss for Harbaugh.

So now Warde has a decision to make and one he must make relatively soon.

But if he’s not going to fire Harbaugh and there has been nothing reported that suggested he will, then these are some things that need to happen starting with a new extension ASAP.

If Manuel is going to stick with Harbaugh, then the two men need to come together sign a multi-year extension and announce it. Fans will absolutely lose their minds and it could be the wrong decision in a few years, but Warde is the AD and if he believes in Jim, then say so and show it.

Recruits are wavering and the only thing that can help with that is some stability. That’s not a reason to keep Harbaugh, let be me clear on that, but if that’s a decision Manuel has already made, then he needs to act on it because being in limbo isn’t helping the Wolverines.

There should be plenty of evidence either way to act. The Wolverines may not play another game this season and I can get if Manuel wants to wait until that’s official to fire Harbaugh, but if the decision is to keep him, you have to give him an extension and do it soon.

Early signing day is Dec. 16 and there is already one important decision coming that day. Hopefully, by being decisive, the Wolverines can still salvage this 2021 class.

Also, for everyone that wants a new defensive coordinator, good luck finding a decent one that will work for a lame-duck head coach, which takes us to the first thing that must happen if Harbaugh is back as head coach.

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