5 Thoughts on Jim Harbaugh returning to Michigan Football
Jim Harbaugh might have had one foot out the door but he’s announced his return to Michigan football and we look at what it all means, plus what’s next.
Just as the talk of replacement candidates was heating up, and the depression was setting in, Adam Schefter dropped a bombshell last night that Jim Harbaugh was returning to Michigan football and not just for next season — for good.
At least that’s what Harbaugh told Michigan. He wants to stay as long as the University will have him and that this dance with the NFL won’t be happening again.
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
Now, of course, this is Jim Harbaugh, so we’ll see if he sticks to his word on that but I genuinely believe he’s going to be Michigan football’s head coach for a long time to come.
And even though National Signing Day turned out to be a dud for the Wolverines, in terms of recruits anyways, they ended up getting the biggest commitment of any program in college football as they secured the return of their Big-Ten-title-winning head coach.
It was an insane few weeks and frankly, I don’t care what happened. It doesn’t matter to me if Harbaugh wasn’t offered the job or however this change happened.
All I know is that he’s going to be back at Schembechler Hall and I expect him to tackle each day with an “Enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
Now, let’s take a look at the fallout and what the next steps should be for Harbaugh and the Michigan football program.
Mend some fences
This is the first thing Harbaugh needs to do. While he didn’t hide his interest in the NFL, he did tell people he was staying, when he clearly had intentions of taking the Minnesota job if offered.
Some fans will probably feel a little betrayed too, but that’s life. Jim is Jim. He’s always marched to the beat of his own drum and it’s not like he delayed things on purpose. The NFL doesn’t care about recruiting or spring practices. It has its own timeline.
Yes, the length of all this hurt the Wolverines, especially on the recruiting trail, but with Harbaugh back in the fold, that can all be mended.
But first, he needs to mend the relationships in the building with his assistant coaches, players, and everyone else. I believe he will and he’ll do it by being the same jackhammer he was last season.