Explaining why Jim Harbaugh’s future is not ‘cut and dry’ at Michigan

Jim Harbaugh’s future is not so “cut and dry,” according to The Wolverine’s Clayton Safie. He interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers Monday.

Could he still return to Michigan for 2024 and beyond? Sure it’s possible, but it’s complicated as Sayfie told On3’s Andy Staples.

There are potential NCAA sanctions and punishment coming if Harbaugh returns, so is that a factor? Staples believes Michigan would stand by its coach no matter what.

“When I look at them winning a national title, and him being suspended for six games that season, I would think and given the public posturing from Santa Ono, the Michigan president,” Staples started. “That barring something out of the blue, that we didn’t accept, we never saw coming, that they just say, ‘Look, if the NCAA suspends you more, we got your back.’ 

“We’re not going to punish you at all. And if you have to sit out games, that’s fine. We have your back, we’ll continue to pay you, we’ll pay you more. You have a job here as long as you want to have a job here. That is how I would handle it in this particular situation.”

Jim Harbaugh has uncertain future at Michigan

Sayfie agreed, but to do so on Michigan’s end is not as simple as it’s made out to be.

“I agree with that,” Sayfie said. “And maybe that’s what he’s looking for. It’d be interesting to see all the wording there … It’s not simple either, right? Because there is history here. I mean, I don’t think he was very happy with the self imposed suspension for cheeseburger gate at the beginning of this year. I mean, that was levied by Michigan, you know, obviously is a form to, you know, in part to protect him. Right?” 

Harbaugh basically had to do whatever he had to in 2023 in order to make it through the season. If he has to deal with more off the field scenarios like in 2024, he’d be a fool to not go to the NFL.

“So I mean, he understands why they did it, but I don’t know necessarily if he was on board with it,” Sayfie said of Harbaugh’s season. “I mean, his pay was cut. There’s a lot of history here, so it’s never cut and dry when it comes to Jim Harbaugh. That’s why he’s so unpredictable. You never really know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s hard to get a read on and Michigan’s kind of quiet on this stuff, too. Ware Manuel was as vocal as he’s ever been … and he said, I’m working on getting this guy a new contract, pointing right at him. 

“You know, he wants to get it done. It’s just so complicated, but it is interesting to see. I don’t want to say desperate but it just felt like they know that they gotta get this done if they want a shot here to keep him.”