Jim Harbaugh Saga

 I am glad I had a lot of writing to catch up on today so I didn't write this in the morning. As I begin, Harbaugh has informed the Michigan athletic department that he plans to return to Ann Arbor for the 2022 season after interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings. It's good news if continuity is important to you, and for the human pinatas that pollute the Michigan fanbase. One staffer was reported to be "elated" with the news, how much should we rejoice though?

The Harbaugh rumors to the NFL began almost immediately after the Orange Bowl, for 30 plus days the Michigan football program was held hostage by media reports and a mum Harbaugh as he flirted with NFL teams. Recruits, players, coaches....us lowly fans, all had no idea what was going on and even one prominent Michigan writer had the odds at 80-20 of him going to the Vikings this morning. It's safe to say that Harbaugh was very interested in returning to the NFL, and honestly who could blame him? To get so close to the ultimate goal, coaching in the Super Bowl, and to not only lose but lose to your big brother? That's an itch that doesn't go away no matter how many college football wins try and scratch at it. 

Harbaugh is well within his rights to explore his options, to decide what's best for him and his family. That's all well and good, and understandable. But there's also a college football program, staff members, coaches, players involved here. And sure, the ego's of the fanbase. His desire to return to the NFL is not a great thing for the Wolverines, especially now that he has officially interviewed with a team. And what's important for the football program is what's most important to me, a fan. The negative recruiting that, undoubtedly has already occurred, will be taking place for as long as Jim Harbaugh is patrolling the sidelines of the Big House. 

This is an event that cannot happen every year, and I'm sure the buyout in his new contract will be a deterrent, but not an absolute blocking. How do you block Harbaugh's urge to compete for another super bowl?

Let's call this ending what it is, Harbaugh is returning to his second choice. He wanted another shot at the NFL, the NFL didn't want him back.....yet. As a Michigan fan that pisses me off, frustrates me beyond belief. To the point where I think Warde Manuel should be on the tarmac when Harbaugh lands and fire him on the spot. 

That won't happen though, Harbaugh will be the head coach of Michigan in 2022. And January 2023 the groundhog day of Harbaugh to the NFL will kick back into full gear again. Is 4-9 vs our biggest rivals worth this level of frustration and ammo for those rivals? I don't think so, but if I had my say so Harbaugh would never have been at Michigan, and we would never of had to deal with this. 

On to spring ball. 



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