Well, unfortunately for Michigan fans, the news they’ve surely been dreading is finally happening.
After months (and really, years) of speculation and rumors, it seems Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is returning to the NFL. Following recent interviews, Harbaugh will take over as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. USA TODAY Sports reported the hire as well, and the Chargers all but confirmed it.
After nine seasons with Michigan, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to three straight Big Ten titles and the 2023-24 College Football Playoff national championship.
Rumors of Harbaugh’s return to the NFL have pretty much been ever-present during his tenure with Michigan. But they seemed to pick up steam during the 2023-24 season as the Wolverines finished with a 15-0 record and a College Football Playoff national championship. It also didn’t help that Harbaugh served two separate suspensions this past season, and Michigan still has the NCAA investigation into the sign-stealing scandal hanging over its head.
Although there are several interesting candidates who could potentially take over for Harbaugh at Michigan, Wolverines fans, understandably, were devastated over the reports of Harbaugh’s departure.
Some reacted on Twitter with thank-yous and tributes:
Thanks for everything, coach. Finally scratch that itch & go get yourself a Super Bowl. 👑#GoBlue https://t.co/U2aIenHYI4 pic.twitter.com/c57KrPEhoq
— John R. Manzo (@JohnRManzo) January 24, 2024
I'm gonna miss you, Coach. Thank you for being apart of my life and every Michigan fan's life for the past 9 years.
You gave me something I dreamt of my entire life: Michigan Football as the National Champion.
God bless you and your family. Thank you Coach Harbaugh. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/oSSKTricZT
— ☨ Wolverine Devotee 🌹 30-24, 45-23, 42-27 〽️ (@UMichWD) January 24, 2024
It’s a sad day. It’s a bad day. https://t.co/hcxB3kA3X4 pic.twitter.com/TSwzjx5jlZ
— Brad Haines (@coachhaines22) January 24, 2024
What a ride; 3 straight B1G titles and a natty, couldn’t ask for more and what a way to go out!
And he won’t play the Lions for a minute… https://t.co/16MlkI3NcG pic.twitter.com/zCAhou8r1Q
— Nick Orlowski (@nickersean) January 24, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is officially leaving Michigan.. 💔
Thanks for bringing Michigan Football back. Thanks for making College Football awesome again & bringing us out of the abyss. Thanks for a season we’ll never forget. Thanks for everything, Coach. Those Who Stay.. #GoBlue 〽️🏆🏈 pic.twitter.com/mfCy63UWCR
— UofmUpdates247 (@UofmUpdates247) January 24, 2024
Thanks for everything, #4.
You resurrected our program from the ashes.
Took us to the mountaintop.
You grew our culture into something we never could've imagined.
You've left your mark, and it will live on forever.
Best of luck to you and your family. We love you.#GoBlue https://t.co/oC1lIekCDG
— True to the Blue (@SupportUofM) January 24, 2024
Thank you, Coach Harbaugh. For everything. Go win a Super Bowl. https://t.co/qHL61vDZUZ pic.twitter.com/yGPjIXQhTk
— Shawn (@trilwil92) January 24, 2024
turned the program around just like he said he would, thank you for finishing the main goal of getting a national championship https://t.co/b3ucdkyMRU pic.twitter.com/3o7b4kTYIV
— 𝒶𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃⭐️ (@aiden__23) January 25, 2024
College football fans in general, however, had plenty of jokes:
Michigan
What are we gonna do next year without McCarthy and Corum. Maybe sanctions
Harbaugh: https://t.co/2Y3U0ryU1C pic.twitter.com/OSjXxm2kkj
— Matt Fontana (@MattFontana83) January 24, 2024
he’s afraid of facing a healthy cade mcnamara https://t.co/iw4PXmpwVz
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) January 24, 2024
Live look at the transfer portal view from Michigan’s roster: https://t.co/fuJVN5sJ2a pic.twitter.com/FdNE5x4XHn
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 24, 2024
Sark reviewing the Michigan roster… https://t.co/sAevtEODCU pic.twitter.com/N58F5f39Zq
— Longhorn Republic (@LonghornPod) January 24, 2024
The NFL is basically international waters for college coaches being investigated by the NCAA https://t.co/0OWx4CrpUu
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) January 24, 2024
The off-season won’t stop in-seasoning https://t.co/zphJArMDd3 pic.twitter.com/7w9ywsSKSC
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) January 25, 2024
All those Michigan players hitting the portal https://t.co/Ab7uGPG0kW pic.twitter.com/5hnTqDfRTc
— Marky Mark (@Marky_Mark_____) January 25, 2024
Sark rn https://t.co/NSUc4EwUx4 pic.twitter.com/2y4onBqna9
— Laci Michele (@HookEmLacixoxo) January 25, 2024
Harbaugh fleeing the NCAA punishments and having to play a season without cheating 😂 What a coward. https://t.co/xq47by6vsX pic.twitter.com/zxO6pBpEU6
— davis_wx (@davis_wx) January 24, 2024
Jim Harbaugh on his way out of
Ann Arbor 👋👋👋 https://t.co/qpcUR5O2A5 pic.twitter.com/pkatFonnNt— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) January 24, 2024
Sark eyeing that michigan roster in the transfer portal https://t.co/gqVlpIHNtx pic.twitter.com/z4RIbffIJC
— 🏴☠️Burnt Orange Armada🤘🏽🏴☠️ (@burntoarmada) January 24, 2024
Me to Will Johnson, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant: https://t.co/y9Fj67MdWJ pic.twitter.com/4hlPplQ90O
— JR’s Rankings 🌰🅾️⭕️ (@jrs_rankings) January 25, 2024
