Appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Paul Finebaum made a bold statement about Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s future.
Finebaum confidently declared that Monday’s national championship game would mark the end of Harbaugh’s coaching tenure in Ann Arbor, win or lose.
Finebaum anchored his prediction on the uncertainty surrounding Michigan’s football program, citing the looming possibility of further NCAA disciplinary actions.
“He’s already accomplished what he set out to do, and that’s make Michigan relevant again,” Finebaum said. “Three straight [College Football] Playoff appearances and a national title game is relevant.”
“But that’s not the real reason. He’s got the NCAA around the corner, and people are saying, ‘Hasn’t the NCAA already been there?’ Yeah, we know the narrative,” he added.
.@finebaum is CONFIDENT that Jim Harbaugh will leave Michigan for the NFL after the National Championship 👀 pic.twitter.com/TPEOu9fA38
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 3, 2024
Harbaugh is expected to be at the top of several NFL owner’s wish lists … He also recently hired noted agent Don Yee, who has represented the likes of Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
As Adam Schefter of ESPN noted, you don’t hire Don Yee to negotiate a contract extension at Michigan … In other words, Harbaugh to the NFL seems more likely than ever.
“It’s pretty simple. If you have a shot at four NFL franchises and they’re coveting you, and on the other hand, you’re facing the NCAA after you’ve already accomplished pretty much everything you’ve set out to do, it’s a very easy answer. He is leaving Michigan after next Monday night,” Finebaum said.
When asked about his future following Michigan’s dramatic Rose Bowl win over Alabama, Harbaugh said: “My future consists of a happy flight back to Ann Arbor, Michigan.”
Jim Harbaugh is asked if the national title game might be his last at Michigan.
Harbaugh: “My future consists of a happy flight back to ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN.”
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) January 2, 2024
One thing is for absolute certainty – If Monday is indeed Harbaugh’s last game at Michigan, he sure as hell wants to make sure he goes out with a win.
What do you think will end up happening?
Will Harbaugh stay with the Wolverines?
Will he leave for the NFL?
Or will he use the NFL for leverage, flirt with as many teams as he can, and then come back to sign a massive contract extension in Ann Arbor???