Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wasn’t caught off guard when the Los Angeles Chargers employed Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday. The truth is, Manuel mentioned Harbaugh has all the time been, “extraordinarily upfront together with his communication relating to NFL alternatives.” Harbaugh’s return to the NFL got here lower than three weeks after he led the Wolverines to this system’s first nationwide title since 1997.
“We had an important dialog tonight when he knowledgeable me of this choice to return to the NFL and provided his help in serving to establish the wants for this system transferring ahead,” Manuel mentioned.
Whereas it seems there are not any laborious emotions, Manuel made it clear the college was aggressive in making an attempt to maintain Harbaugh. Michigan was even prepared to grant its coach immunity from termination for the 2 ongoing NCAA investigations into this system, in response to 247Sports’ Sam Webb.
“We now have been discussing a brand new contract that will make Jim the best paid coach in faculty soccer,” Manuel mentioned. “In the long run, he needed to discover and in the end determined to pursue a return to teaching within the NFL. We won’t thank Jim sufficient for all that he has completed for our student-athletes, workers and Michigan Soccer. He’ll all the time be an enormous a part of our wealthy historical past, and will likely be remembered as an all-time nice Wolverine, as each a championship participant and coach.”
Harbaugh posted an 86-25 (60-17 Large Ten) report. The previous Wolverines quarterback led his alma mater to a 37-3 (26-1) report with three Large Ten titles and three wins over rival Ohio State within the final three seasons. He additionally leaves behind the 2 NCAA infractions instances which have but to be adjudicated and a protracted legacy of flirting with NFL prospects — which lastly got here to fruition Wednesday.
However Warde’s complimentary phrases and comparable reward from Michigan president Santa Ono sign an amicable ending to Harbaugh’s tenure, which will likely be outlined largely by a tumultuous and triumphant closing season.
“For the followers, the gamers, and for me personally, we’re unhappy to listen to of Jim’s departure,” Ono mentioned. “His drive and ambition turned our program round, delivered our first nationwide championship in 1 / 4 century and maintained Michigan because the all-time winningest staff within the historical past of faculty soccer. I thank Jim for all he has completed for the College of Michigan and respect his choice. He has been a rare chief and a buddy. I will likely be cheering for Jim as he embarks on this subsequent journey.”
