Jim Harbaugh’s move to the NFL has been seen as a victory for the Chargers, but ESPN’s Paul Finebaum sees it as a win for college football.
The analyst didn’t hold his feelings back about the now-former Michigan coach while appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday morning.
“I think it’s a positive, frankly. I hate to interrupt the coronation of a new pope, but let’s remember a couple of things about Jim Harbaugh,” Finebaum said. “The first six years [at Michigan] weren’t exactly virtuoso. He nearly got fired, and he was this close to getting fired. The last three years were brilliant. Everyone agrees with that, and that’s why we’re celebrating him today, and we should celebrate him.”
However, the college football expert was quick to point out the state of affairs he’s leaving behind in Ann Arbor.
The NCAA is still investigating a sign-stealing scandal that was alleged to have been masterminded by ex-Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions and led to Harbaugh being suspended three games by the Big Ten.
Finebaum speculated that without Harbaugh still connected to the football program, any punishment handed down from that probe could be less severe.
“But he’s leaving behind a mess. I realize he won the national championship and that’s so easy to celebrate,” Finebaum said. “But there are two separate NCAA investigations ongoing and will be adjudicated.
“And I think in some ways that’s a positive for Michigan, that without him around they will probably skate much easier in the new modern world of the NCAA.”
Finebaum did acknowledge the presence that Harbaugh had in college football, describing him as “larger than life,” and that with Alabama head coach Nick Saban also having retired, Harbaugh had been one of the marquee names for the sport.
Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore now is the favorite to replace Harbaugh as the Wolverines’ next head coach.
Harbaugh is taking over a Chargers team that is trying to make a splash after a dismal 5-12 season.
