No hard feelings: Despite being in limbo, Michigan 'elated' to have Harbaugh back
Jim Harbaugh is staying put. That it is per a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter Wednesday evening and quickly followed by multiple other outlets.
Harbaugh had an interview with the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday, and indications from Tuesday were that he had full intentions of accepting the job if offered. That is now gone with Harbaugh expected to return to Ann Arbor to try to build off a B1G Championship and College Football Playoff appearance in 2021.
Though Harbaugh’s flirtation with the NFL put Michigan in limbo, do not expect any sort of hard feelings within the program. According to Schefter, sources with the Wolverines were “elated” that Harbaugh settled on a return to Ann Arbor.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg took that a step further. According to a source interviewed by Rittenberg, Harbaugh is likely going to get a new contract and be left alone by the administration.
Jim Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings today, he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, “elated” to get Harbaugh’s decision.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Asked a Michigan source earlier this week if a Harbaugh return would be awkward after the program was in limbo for the past few days.
“No. He’s going to get a nice contract and they’ll probably leave him alone.”
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 3, 2022
While the program is likely happy to have Harbaugh back, he might have to work a bit harder to rebuild some equity with fans. Beating Michigan State and Ohio State in 2022 would go a long way towards putting this whole process behind everyone.