Jim Harbaugh to serve as honorary captain at Michigan game in 2024

Jim Harbaugh will serve as an honorary captain for the program at its season-opener on Aug. 31 against Fresno State.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel made that announcement this week during an appearance on the 1 Star Recruits Podcast.

“I look forward to seeing him in September,” Manuel said. “He’s going to be an honorary captain for our first game. And I look forward to having him back here in Ann Arbor for that game.”

The timing of this announcement is interesting to say the least. Earlier this week, Harbaugh was hit with significant penalties from the NCAA stemming from its investigation into recruiting violations at Michigan. Harbaugh was given a 4-year show-cause penalty and a 1-year suspension that will go into effect if he is ever hired by another NCAA school.

Harbaugh is also expected to be accused of Level I violations related to Michigan sign-stealing scheme that made headlines last fall. He was one of several Michigan coaches named in a draft of the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations against Michigan. He’s likely to receive additional punishment from the NCAA in that case.

Despite the looming sanctions, Michigan will celebrate its 2023 national championship victory with Harbaugh’s return to the Big House. It’s unclear if any other members of the 2023 team or coaching staff will also be in attendance.

Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers do not have a game the week of Aug. 31. They will begin Week 1 of the NFL season the following weekend with a game on Sept. 8.

Michigan’s Week 1 contest against Fresno State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Michigan is currently a 21-point favorite in that game, per the latest odds from DraftKings.