Jim Harbaugh, Michigan players crushed for tributes to suspended head coach

Jim Harbaugh is not on the sidelines of Michigan Stadium for Michigan’s season opener. However, the currently suspended head coach was still the target of conversation in Week 1.

During pre-game warmups, starting quarterback JJ McCarthy protested the current suspension with a “Free Harbaugh shirt.” The tributes continued into the first quarter with the offense using a pre-snap alignment and 4 fingers in the air to recognize their head coach.

While it’s understandable for players to have their coach’s back, it’s safe to say others around the country thought things were a bit over the top. After all, Harbaugh’s suspension (self-imposed) is related to alleged NCAA violations, and the 3-game suspension is one game less than what was originally expected to be a 4-game suspension delivered by the NCAA.

Either way, a number of fans and media thought the Saturday tributes were a bit dramatic for a suspended coach. Check it out:

Michigan gave a tribute to Jim Harbaugh?
He’s (self-imposed) suspended, not dead… pic.twitter.com/imCkVAa41G

— Grayson Weir (@GsonJW) September 2, 2023

lmao be forreal with those free Harbaugh shirts https://t.co/lWuxWZS5IY

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) September 2, 2023

Lmao it is objectively hilarious that they’re treating Harbaugh like a prisoner of war https://t.co/aUzRq0qjZG

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 2, 2023

Buffett Harbaugh
🤝
Jimmys receiving
cheeseburger tributes

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 2, 2023

RIP Jim Harbaugh you will be missed https://t.co/Ffh8rxFOMz

— Vinny Polimeni (@vinnyp24) September 2, 2023

I think it’s really funny that Michigan players are acting like Jim Harbaugh was killed. They should do a moment of silence for their fallen coach next week

— Patrick Mayhorn (@patrick_mayhorn) September 2, 2023

hope Jim Harbaugh is gonna be ok

— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) September 2, 2023

If I didn’t know otherwise, I’d have assumed Jim Harbaugh is being wrongfully detained at a CIA black site https://t.co/n2YETbus57

— raj.docx (@internetraj) September 2, 2023

Thoughts and prayers go out to Jim Harbaugh, who is not coaching today because he is…

*Checks notes*

Suspended for lying during an official investigation into suspected recruiting violations https://t.co/jsSDRUgiGK

— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) September 2, 2023

This is dumb and Michigan should be embarrassed https://t.co/WhFo9K4ABf

— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) September 2, 2023

A reminder, Harbaugh is suspended by Michigan currently not the NCAA. https://t.co/PekvWI0isd

— Brandon Wildman (@brandon_wildman) September 2, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.