Harbaugh Jumped Ship. Now We Know Why

​Before we get into the meat of this article, let me preface it with the fact that I am not a reporter. Nothing in this article is breaking news. Based on news I have seen come out in the last few days, I am speculating and have a good excuse to bash Jim Harbaugh. 

ESPN reported that Michigan will serve three years of NCAA probation, pay a fine, and face recruiting restrictions because of recruiting violations and coaching activities by non-coaching staff members on Tuesday, April 16. Additionally, a portion of the case involving Jim Harbaugh, who has made his way to the Los Angeles Chargers organization, will be considered separately by the Committee on Infractions, according to the NCAA. According to Harbaugh's attorney, neither he nor Harbaugh knew about the agreement Michigan and the NCAA settled on when it was reported on Tuesday, adding an element of intrigue to the situation. 

During this probation period, the Michigan football program may see increased oversight by the NCAA, and they could be subject to more severe penalties should another violation occur. This does put a stain on the program's reputation. Furthermore, the recruiting violations imposed on the team could mean many things, including, but not limited to, limited contact periods, no off-campus meetings with recruits, and limited visits the university can front for recruits. 

I want Michigan fans to enjoy their National Championship, and being a relatively reasonable fanbase, they understand that it will have a massive asterisk in the eyes of everyone not flying the Maize and Blue.

Ohio State fans sure have a lot to say about the violations. Ironically, since 2020 (when these violations happened), Michigan has gone 3-0 against Ohio State. I'm not a Buckeyes fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm curious how much the violations have impacted the results of the last three matchups. It had been since the '90s since Michigan beat Ohio State in three consecutive years. If you're an Ohio State fan, you have a solid argument that the last three matchups directly resulted from cheating. 

A lot of speculation is circulating on online forums and social media about whether or not Harbaugh knew these violations were about to come down on the program. Michigan loyalists have defended Harbaugh tooth and nail. They will have you believe that they genuinely do not think he has done anything wrong and that he was oblivious to any of the activities resulting in these violations (despite reports saying otherwise, but I get it. Don't always trust the media. Whatever.).  

If I were a Michigan fan, I would be PISSED at Harbaugh for leaving the program in the position that it is in. Whether he was directly involved, overlooked things going on in the program, or he really had no idea what was going on, he was still the Head Coach for the team, and these violations are a product of his lack of leadership.

Based on what I know, I find it hard not to believe that Harbaugh jumped ship because he knew the hammer was about to fall on him and the Michigan Football Team. After finally beating Ohio State in consecutive years and winning a national championship, you go on to coach the Chargers? Something isn't adding up. After years of trying, who finally builds a team that can compete AND WIN at the highest level of D1 football jumps ship like that unless it's to retire?

The whole thing is fishy. Harbaugh did a decent job as the Wolverines' coach —much better than his predecessors, Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez—but he left the program in shambles. Sherrone Moore is going to have his work cut out for him. Harbaugh is a piece of shit for leaving this historic program in shambles. You should leave a program in a better position than you found it. To Harbaugh, these violations are somebody else's problem, and he continues to take zero accountability for the position he has left the Wolverines in.