Paul Finebaum admits he was 'never more wrong' about Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: 'I was cheering for him'

Paul Finebaum has been one of, if not Jim Harbaugh’s biggest detractor since the coach took over the Michigan Wolverines.

Well, Harbaugh finally captured a national title for the Big Ten power, and the SEC Network analyst is giving him his flowers. Fienbaum joined Get Up on Tuesday morning, sharing his reaction to Harbaugh completing an undefeated season with the Wolverines.

“I say, ‘congratulations.’ And Greeny, I was cheering for him last night,” Finebaum said, shocking his colleagues. “I can’t explain it, I’m sure it’s some weird thing from back when I was a baby or something. But I don’t know if I’ve ever been more wrong about anything in my entire life. I didn’t think the guy would ever beat Ohio State, I said it on your show a couple of years ago, if I live to be 150, and I’m getting close. But the point being, this is truly remarkable. And I don’t want to be wrong about something, Greeny, you never want to be wrong, but if you’re going to be epically wrong, at of this constellation, out of this universe wrong, I’ll take it.

“And I think Jim Harbaugh has silenced all those who doubted him in the early days. I’m not talking about what happened this year, that’s a whole different story. But in the end, he has proven everyone wrong.”

Alas, Finebaum harkened back to why he originally thought Harbaugh wouldn’t work in Ann Arbor, explaining why the Michigan leader was ultimately able to get over the hill and accomplish the grandest goal of all with the program.

“I think some of us looked at him and said he’s ‘old-fashioned.’ He’s a creation of Bo Schembechler, his mentor. His practices are antediluvian, and in today’s current college football world, it wouldn’t work. But we forgot one thing – not all of us, but I did – I forgot what a great coach he was,” Finebaum added. “You’ve talked about it already, why he may be going to the NFL tomorrow, or whenever it is. He was brilliant in the NFL.

“And after a couple of years getting his head bashed in in Ann Arbor, I think some of us simply said, ‘What’s wrong with this guy? He can’t adapt, and he’ll never be able to.’ But he did, and when he was at the precipice three years ago and about to get fired, he was building and fortunately for Michigan, Warde Manuel and the university stuck with him, because what he’s done the last three years have been truly remarkable to watch.”

Paul Finebaum was wrong on Jim Harbaugh and his ability to lead Michigan, but at least the ESPN analyst was man enough to admit it. That’s commendable, and a fitting end to the story, as Harbaugh’s future remains in question.

Regardless, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines will always have the 2023 season, as a 15-0, undefeated, national championship is as sweet as it can get in college football.