In a shocking twist of events, Jim Harbaugh isn’t leaving Michigan football and he says that he’s going to stay as long as U-M wants him.
Jim Harbaugh has always believed in the statement, “Those who stay will be champions.” And on Wednesday, he put his money where his mouth is.
After most Michigan football reporters and fans expected Harbaugh to take the job with the Minnesota Vikings, he reportedly changed his mind.
According to Adam Schefter, Harbaugh called Michigan to say that he was returning for next season. But then, Schefter added another tweet and it said that Harbaugh told Warde Manuel:
“This would not be a re-occurring issue and that he would stay at Michigan as long as it would have him.”
Jim Harbaugh told Warde Manuel that this would not be a re-occurring issue and he would stay at Michigan as long as it wants him, per sources. https://t.co/d3NVS4EdLl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Manuel and Michigan were reportedly “elated” to hear the news, just like Michigan football fans who probably had to pinch themselves to believe it’s real.
The best thing about Harbaugh’s statement is his commitment to Michigan football for the long haul. We’ll see if he’s true to his word or if he explores NFL head-coaching opportunities again in the future because he did say he wants to win a Super Bowl and he can’t at Michigan.
That being said, he just won a Big Ten championship and was two wins away from a national championship, which at Michigan, would put him in an elite class of head coaches. It’s something Bo Schembechler didn’t even do.
Bo flirted with Texas A&M but stayed. Now, Harbaugh has done the same with the Vikings.
There might be some hurt feelings and a long-term extension needs to be signed. But Jim Harbaugh is back and that means this is a great day to be a Wolverine!