Paul Finebaum says Jim Harbaugh has nothing left to prove at Michigan

One of Jim Harbaugh’s more consistent critics, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, extended an olive branch on Friday morning during an appearance on First Take. After consecutive Big Ten titles and wins over Ohio State, Finebaum said that Harbaugh has checked all the boxes that need checking at Michigan.

What that means for the future and Harbaugh potentially taking a look at the NFL remains to be seen, Finebaum said. A pertinent question, even if the interest appears to be one-sided at this point.

“Jim Harbaugh, really, doesn’t have to prove anything else. I think the real question for Jim Harbaugh is whether he stays at Michigan once all this is over. Because once again, he’s become a hot coach for NFL owners,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum noted that in 2021 Michigan massively exceeded expectations coming off a miserable 2020 season marred by inconsistent quarterback play and Covid-19. And, somehow, in 2022 Michigan exceeded expectations again, despite coming off a conference title and College Football Playoff appearance the year prior.

Prior to the recent run of elite play from Michigan — the Wolverines are 25-2 since the beginning of the 2021 season — the Wolverines had been solid, but it had become a horror show against Ohio State.

Turning around that reality and beating Ohio State has been the biggest feather in Harbaugh’s cap, Finebaum said.

“I think had it not been for COVID, Michigan would have fired Jim Harbaugh. What did they do? They slashed his salary, he was on the hottest seat in the country, and look what he did. Why is all that? Because he couldn’t beat his rival. Urban Meyer treated him like a rag doll, Ryan Day did the same thing,” Finebaum said. “Then last year, the upset happened and Ryan Day’s team, Ryan Day’s program spent the entire offseason talking about that, preparing for it. And what happened in the fourth quarter this year in Columbus on a sunny day with 50-degree temperature? Same thing happened.”