Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh's 'tattoo pledge' comes at an awkward time

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh finds his program in an interesting, if not straight-up awkward spot.

On one hand, his squad is undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the country behind only back-to-back national champion Georgia. On the other, Michigan football is currently under dual investigation. 

Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension earlier this season in an attempt to appease the NCAA, which was probing Harbaugh and alleging Level II violations pertaining to recruiting. It's recently come out that another investigation has started into what appears to be an alleged intricate sign-stealing operation involving Michigan staffer Conner Stalions.

Where Harbaugh fits into that is anyone's guess at the moment, but a program that has prided itself on a squeaky clean image and being the "leaders and the best" certainly finds itself in the crosshairs of scandal.

In the meantime, though, Harbaugh seems to be playing it cool and brushing it off. In fact, he recently told Detroit radio host Jon Jansen — a former Michigan player — that he's going to get a tattoo commemorating this team if they do end up going 15-0.

“I have no ink. I’ve considered it. If we go undefeated, I’m gonna get a ‘15-0′ tattoo. Probably on the shoulder, and a block ‘M’ over it," Harbaugh said (h/t mlive). I haven’t configured the art yet, but if that happens, I will do it.”

Michigan still has to play No. 10 Penn State and No. 3 Ohio State this season, so an undefeated regular season is no guarantee let alone a flawless trip to the Big Ten Championship and consequently, the College Football Playoff. It's also worth noting that Harbaugh is 0-2 in the CFP and has yet to make it out of the semi-finals, so winning the whole thing is also no guarantee.

Lastly, it's a bit ironic that Harbaugh is talking about tattoos when he certainly remembers the fate of former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel — who resigned in 2011 due to an NCAA violation into Ohio State players had received what at the time were deemed as "improper benefits" from a local tattoo parlor. 

If "lack of institutional control" is still a thing and the NCAA can prove that the sign-stealing allegations were true, Harbaugh's tattoo pledge could be incredibly ironic when all is said and done.