Jim Harbaugh reacts to NCAA investigation into sign-stealing, channels 'inner William Wallace'

Jim Harbaugh took the podium on Monday following Michigan‘s bye week, so of course the main discourse surrounded the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal that’s dominated headlines over the last week.

Throughout his coaching career, Harbaugh has always had some fascinating quirks, and the way he’s dealing with his latest drama is certainly a new one. The Michigan leader claimed he’s channeling his “inner William Wallace” as he goes through the process, letting it all work itself out.

“You just have to let it play out,” Harbaugh said, via Anthony Broome of The Wolverine. “Cooperate with the investigation and see how it plays out. Too much of a one track mind with the team to engage with all the speculation.”

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A Braveheart reference certainly wasn’t on the bingo sheet when it comes to Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal, but that’s what makes Harbaugh one of the most interesting coaches in all of college football.

Perhaps he’ll show up with his face painted like Mel Gibson like the famed movie during Michigan’s next game. Heck, you never know what Harbaugh is going to do next, but he’ll be answering questions pertaining to the scandal for the remainder of the season, there’s no doubt about that.

Paul Finebaum discusses if Michigan scandal could impact College Football Playoff, Jim Harbaugh’s future

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum spoke about the sign-stealing controversy at Michigan during ‘The Matt Barrie Show’ on Sunday. He said he didn’t expect to hear much from those in charge of the College Football Playoff on the matter but realizes that they will need to say something when the initial rankings come out this week.

“I think you just nailed what is the subplot of Tuesday night,” said Finebaum. “The committee chair will be asked about it. You know they’ve already got the typed-up answer and I doubt it’s going to tell us anything we don’t already know.”

To get into the actual issue, though, Finebaum had no problem with criticizing the morality of the matter. Even so, it has taken place in a time in the sport where he doesn’t think that many people will make much of it by the time it’s all said and done.

“As far as Michigan? This is a very sleazy, disgusting story,” said Finebaum. “There are leaks up there coming out left and right and every one makes the school look worse.”

“That’s on one ledger,” Finebaum continued. “But we’re also talking about a time in college football when people shrug their shoulders about everything because of NIL, because of the portal, because of all of the things that are going on.”

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The biggest thing about this story is the fact that Michigan is one of the best teams in the nation, if not the best. Still, when it comes to the national conversation, Finebaum believes this will end up as an afterthought for the selection committee as this continues to play out off of the field.

“All I’m interested in now is can any of this stick? Does any of this really matter? And, quite frankly, I don’t think it does,” Finebaum stated. “I don’t think any of this is going to stick to Jim Harbaugh. I don’t think it’s going to influence or impact the College Football Playoff. That’s what we’re interested in.”