Paul Finebaum: Selective NCAA prosecution has Jim Harbaugh looking at NFL

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan have once again found themselves in some form of trouble with the NCAA. Now, with the latest accusations coming against the Wolverines to end this week, Paul Finebaum is starting to believe that Harbaugh may finally have had enough.

Finebaum addressed Harbaugh’s future on ‘Get Up’ on Friday morning in the wake of a sign stealing investigation in Ann Arbor. In his eyes, he thinks Harbaugh is under the belief that he has done what he has needed to do at Michigan. With that being the case, Finebaum believes he will call it a career in collegiate football and start to look back towards a pro job next year.

“Considering that Jim Harbaugh has really proven all the critics and skeptics wrong by the run to the playoffs the last couple of years, and possibly again this year? I think he’s going to leave college football and go back to the NFL,” Finebaum said. “I think he has had enough of what this sport is really all about, the way it’s operated, and the thin line that the NCAA uses to go after people. Clearly, he is in their crosshairs.”

Analyst Connor Stalions finds himself at the center of this situation.

The issue comes down to the kind of scouting that Harbaugh and Michigan have been doing. It’s one thing to regularly prepare for opponents but the rule in question relates to the prohibition of “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season)”.

In response, Harbaugh himself, the University of Michigan, the Wolverine’s athletic director, and Harbaugh’s attorney have all released statements on the matter. The powers at be in Ann Arbor have shared their desire to cooperate while Harbaugh and Tom Mars denied his knowledge of the matter.

Still, this is an affair that’s not nothing. As Pete Thamel said on Thursday, it’s potentially far more significant than what took place at Michigan as far as recruiting violations. Heather Dinich agreed on Friday morning as well as she pondered Harbaugh’s defense since it’s his program and, therefore, he should know what’s going on within their building.

Whether it’s true or not, Finebaum believes Harbaugh has had enough. If the right opportunity comes open on Sundays, he expects him to make the leap after the conclusion of this season.

“I think he is going to look around like he has the last two seasons,” said Finebaum. “If he gets the offer he wants? He is going to depart college football at the end of this season.”

.@finebaum believes Jim Harbaugh will leave college football and return to the NFL after this season. pic.twitter.com/YqpTli1oeq

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 20, 2023