Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh defended his teams off-field issues after defeating the Washington Huskies 34-13 in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines bested the No. 2 Washington Huskies in the final year of the four-team format. Harbaugh spent several games this year serving suspensions handed down by the NCAA and the Big Ten.
In a CBS Sports article, Harbaugh pointed out that the team was innocent.
“Off the field issues, we’re innocent,” Harbaugh said postgame. “We stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent. I’d just like to point that out.”
Harbaugh is referencing sign-stealing allegations that have plagued the Wolverines’ season. The NCAA never dished out punishment regarding this incident, and the suspensions he served were dealt by the Big Ten. Harbaugh did serve an NCAA suspension at the beginning of the year for recruiting violations that took place during COVID.
The Michigan Wolverines and head coach Jim Harbaugh have yet to face NCAA ramifications
While the three-game suspension Harbaugh served at the end of the regular season did not slow the Wolverines down, they may not compare to the future issues the Wolverines may face as a result of an NCAA decision.
The alleged sign-stealing operation focused on Connor Stalions, who was a part of the Michigan staff. Stalions allegedly sent other people involved in the scheme to other games with the purpose of stealing signs. The NCAA does not prohibit trying to learn other people’s signs, but it does prohibit in-person scouting.
Stalions resigned in early November, and Michigan’s season has been clouded by controversy since. Harbaugh continued to say that him and the team were innocent.
“These guys are innocent,” he said. “Overcome that, it wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent. That’s really wanted to say. It went exactly how we wanted it to go.”
Many fans are claiming that this National Championship victory won’t hold up, as Michigan’s wins will supposedly be vacated if the NCAA proves guilt. Regardless, it is likely that Harbaugh will not face any punishment himself as he has been linked to multiple NFL jobs. There have been no reports pointing to the vacating of this championship.
Really sad when all these kids, who’ve worked so hard to get here, & fans celebrate their first championship in 26 years, only for Harbaugh to immediately leave amidst a “scandal” and it gets taken away with no repercussions for the staff #CFPChampionship
— Coultin Westcott (@EastBed17) January 9, 2024
time till the championship is taken away from michigan:
over/under: 1.5 years
— Henry (CHAOS CREW) (@henry_goms) January 9, 2024
The list of violations this guy has had at Michigan is exhausting. Total joke that they were allowed to play in postseason. Hopefully the championship is taken away https://t.co/NYtLmZD2PW
— Clint (@irundownhill) January 9, 2024
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh might avoid repercussions by taking an NFL job
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has been linked to a transition to the NFL by way of NFL-connected agent Don Yee.
Yee is Tom Brady’s agent, and thus it has been said that the Las Vegas Raiders have the upper hand in the recruitment of Harbaugh. Brady is a partial owner of the team, and a former Michigan player.
The LA Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are “pressing hard” to hire Jim Harbaugh as their HC.
It is believed in league circles the Raiders have the “upper hand” for Harbaugh due to the hiring of agent Don Yee.
Commanders and Bears are also interested in Harbaugh, per @TonyPauline pic.twitter.com/icJxrDxokU
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 7, 2024
Harbaugh has also refused to sign an extension with the Wolverines. The extension included a “no-shop” clause that would not allow Harbaugh to interview for NFL jobs while coaching the Wolverines.
The offer was for $125 million, and would make him one the highest-paid coaches in college football. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is the only college football coach to make $11 million per year, but Harbaugh’s new contract would make him the other.
Harbaugh refused to comment on his future after the title game.
Jim Harbaugh is asked about the NFL in his post-title presser.
“I just want to enjoy this. I just want to enjoy this…
I hope you give me that… Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be what’s next, what’s the future?” pic.twitter.com/vFNepgr9E2— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 9, 2024
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