The Michigan Wolverines, specifically head coach Jim Harbaugh, have been placed squarely inside the NCAA spotlight for the past month due to an elaborate sign-stealing scandal. The Big Ten Conference, the league Michigan competes in under the overarching umbrella of the NCAA, suspended Harbaugh for three games for his program’s violations, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2023 regular season.
The fallout has also included the firing of linebackers coach Chris Partridge and the resignation of staffer Connor Stalions. However, with the NCAA still waiting to hand out a ruling, the NFL is well over the scandal while simultaneously holding no ill will toward Harbaugh.
NFL Insider Jay Glazer: NFL Moving On from Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal
Fox Sports NFL pregame host Jay Glazer spoke to a national audience during the pregame leading up to the Detroit Lions hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, speaking on the NFL’s thoughts on Jim Harbaugh amid his program’s sign-stealing scandal.
“All the teams I’ve talked to say, regardless of what we hear in that investigation, that’s not going to affect the way we look at Jim Harbaugh if he wants to come back and coach in the NFL,” said Glazer on Thursday morning.
Jim Harbaugh spent four seasons coaching in the NFL, leading the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014. He won NFL Coach of the Year in 2011 while leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl during the 2012 campaign.
Glazer continued, saying, “I actually think for the NFL, they have kind of moved on from this.” Jim Harbaugh has already gotten suspended three games by the Big Ten, while the NCAA has yet to come out with any more consequences for the Michigan Wolverines. Harbaugh’s role in the scandal has been portrayed as one of unknowing.
Even fellow Fox Sports host Curt Menefee said, “Well, he wins wherever he is… and NFL owners want to win.” Jim Harbaugh has compiled an 82-25 record with the Michigan Wolverines since 2015. He also posted a 58-27 record in the 2000s as the frontman for the San Diego Toreros and Stanford Cardinal. Meanwhile, he went 44-19-1 with the San Francisco 49ers.
Michigan Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh: Vying for Third-Straight Playoff Appearance
The Michigan Wolverines sit at a perfect 11-0 heading into their regular season finale against fellow undefeated powerhouse, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The winner of one of the longest-tenured rivalries will all but lock up a playoff spot, while the loser will need luck on their side to punch their ticket. Michigan and Jim Harbaugh have made the College Football Playoff for the past two seasons but have yet to win a game.
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