HOUSTON – Jim Harbaugh made good on the phrase coined by his former coach, Bo Schembechler – an expectation that has defined the Michigan program since 1969.
"Those who stay will be champions."
Harbaugh led the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997 on Monday when No. 1 Michigan dominated No. 2 Washington 34-13 at NRG Stadium. Harbaugh, who played quarterback for Schembechler at Michigan from 1983-86, won three Big Ten championships and made three College Football Playoff appearances. On Monday, he finally became a championship coach.
"That was everything," Harbaugh said. "That last phase line, that last one more game. And we won it. Such a one-track mind for our entire football team."
Will Jim Harbaugh stay at Michigan?
Harbaugh used that "one-track mind" line all weekend to deflect questions about his potential move back to the NFL. Harbaugh was 44-19-1 with the 49ers from 2011-14, and the expectation now is he might jump back into the chase for a Super Bowl with a handful of suitors after Black Monday.
If Harbaugh leaves, then he will try to join an exclusive list that includes Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, and Pete Carroll. Those are the only coaches to win a national championship and a Super Bowl.
In some ways, Harbaugh is a combination of all three of those coaches, even if Carroll is the most frequent comparison. Carroll left USC after the 2009 season ahead of an NCAA investigation.
Harbaugh is currently at the center of multiple NCAA investigations. He faces a Level I infraction for a case related to impermissible contact with recruits in 2020, and the fallout from an in–person scouting and sign-stealing scandal is still to be determined. Michigan could face more penalties from the NCAA.
Yet, there is still a case to be made for Harbaugh to stay. Michigan has reportedly offered him a lucrative extension with the catch that Harbaugh does not entertain NFL job openings for at least a year.
"I’m doing my very best," Michigan president Santa Ono told The Athletic. "Hopefully, he will stay."
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The case for Jim Harbaugh to stay at Michigan
Keep in mind we’re dealing with Harbaugh, one of the most unpredictable personalities in college football this century. He’s coached at Michigan for nine seasons and compiled an 88-25 record. Sure, there could be more punishment from the NCAA, but he missed six games this season and the Wolverines won the national championship.
Harbaugh has a close relationship with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who could bypass the 2024 NFL Draft in favor of one more run with the Wolverines. McCarthy is 27-1 as the starting quarterback with Michigan, and that could help offset heavy losses to the 2024 NFL Draft from a veteran team.
Michigan is entering the 18-team Big Ten and a new College Football Playoff world with 12 teams, which would create more postseason opportunities. Plus, Harbaugh would have the job security that comes with being a national championship coach.
When it comes to Harbaugh, you'll often hear that he's a better NFL coach than a college coach – and there's no doubt he could turn the right fit into a Super Bowl contender like he did with the 49ers.
MORE: Harbaugh says Michigan 'innocent' of off-field charges
Harbaugh, however, is a better fit for college football than the NFL. He’s been a constant advocate for the transfer portal and NIL, and he’s broached the topic of revenue sharing. If college football truly is headed toward an NFL model, then Harbaugh is one of those leaders who could steer the sport in a favorable direction.
Is that worth the risk of what’s to come with the NCAA, or is the NFL where Harbaugh will go next? Harbaugh did tell ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that the Wolverines will move spring practice back for the 2024 season.
Will he stay a little bit longer as a result?
"I just want to enjoy this," Harbaugh said. "I hope you give me that. Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be what's next, what's the future?
"Like I said the other day, yeah, I hope to have a future," he said. "I hope there's a tomorrow, a day after tomorrow, a next week, a next month, a next year."
