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Paul Finebaum explains why Jim Harbaugh’s departure is a ‘relief’ for Michigan
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Paul Finebaum believes Jim Harbaugh’s decision to leave Michigan could ultimately end up being a positive for the Wolverines.
Michigan is still subject of a NCAA investigation for potential violations committed during Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach. With Harbaugh now set to leave for the NFL after winning the national championship, Harbaugh says his departure should be a “relief” in some ways for Michigan.
“It’s a big blow, but it’s also a relief in some circles,” Finebaum said on Get Up on Thursday. “Because Jim Harbaugh brought so much controversy. That NCAA investigation is still out there. It has 2 prongs to it. Without Harbaugh, I think it will abate.
“They’ll still get some sort of sanction, but I don’t think it will be nearly as serious [without Harbaugh].”
Harbaugh served multiple suspensions last season for separate incidents. The NCAA is still investigating Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal and could levy more sanctions on the program. Harbaugh has already been punished by the Big Ten as he was suspended for the final 3 games of the 2023 regular season.
Finebaum also discussed Michigan’s future and about how winning the national championship in 2023 will take some pressure off of the next regime.
“The other part of it is the pressure. Sherrone Moore will likely get the job in a couple of days once the legal time period has ended,” Finebaum added. “He did a phenomenal job, he was the coach for 6 games last season. He handled himself very well.
“The pressure in the Big Ten interestingly won’t be on Harbaugh’s successor, Sherrone Moore. It will be on Ryan Day because of having lost to Harbaugh for 3 straight years. He is the beneficiary, he has the best team in the Big Ten. But he better not lose to a first-year coach at Michigan.”
Michigan has not officially named Moore as Harbaugh’s successor, but early reports indicate he’s the favorite to land the permanent job.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.