No Wonder Jim Harbaugh Returned To the NFL So Quickly

Jim Harbaugh has had a very chaotic career as a coach in American football. His tenure with the San Francisco 49ers did not end on the best of terms. His departure from the University of Michigan also always felt a little fishy. It came out of nowhere for Harbaugh, and his going to the Chargers with all the success in Michigan didn’t feel right. Well, it’s more apparent regarding the reason why he truly left.

What Was Going On In Michigan At the Time

For many seasons, the Michigan Wolverines were accused of sign-stealing and recruiting violations. This first started gaining traction in 2023, and it was clear that Michigan was guilty. Now, with all this catching more and more fire, guess what year Harbaugh decided to leave the NCAA? That would be the year 2023, and when January of 2024 hit, he officially joined the Los Angeles Chargers. It is clear that Harbaugh knew he was screwed in this situation and decided to leave town.

The Punishment For His Involvement In Scandals At Michigan

With the investigation concluded, it was time for everyone involved to receive their punishment. One of those names that got punished is Harbaugh, and it is a severe punishment. Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause penalty. Harbaugh led the program as the head coach, so it is not a surprise to get this big a punishment.

But wait, there is more, as that 10-year ban will not start until the year 2028. Remember the whole “BurgerGate” scandal, where Harbaugh allegedly took some recruits to a burger joint in Ann Arbor during the pandemic. Well, he already got a four-year show-cause (suspension). Harbaugh knew no matter what, he was going to get banned from coaching by the NCAA.

He Had No Choice But To Go Back To the NFL

Harbaugh, seeing no way out, had to go to the NFL. Where else could he go to make as much money as he did in college? It certainly won’t be with the CFL or UFL, and with how big his resume and experience were, it felt like a no-brainer for him to go to the NFL. He signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Chargers, and for $16 million per year, it was hard to say no. He profited more from this as he’s getting paid more than he did at Michigan. There always is a Plan B if things go wrong, and the star coach executed that.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Harbaugh’s coaching legacy, it’s going to be super complicated. When looking at his collegiate tenure, with how successful it is, it’s hard not to mention his involvement in these scandals. That is unfortunate because Harbaugh was a joy to watch, and now it’s all tainted because of these scandals.

His return to the NFL felt like damage control, and in the present, it has to feel like a potential redemption story. Harbaugh will be 73 years old when his suspensions are over, and at that point, he will likely be retired from coaching. For more NFL and college sports content, check out Total Apex Sports.