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In December 2014, Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh to take over the football program and take them back to the promised land. Sitting here in 2019, the Wolverines are still waiting.
In four years prior to 2019, Harbaugh has won 10 games three times. He has yet to win a Big 10 Championship Game, he has not led Michigan to the CFB Playoff, and Michigan is 1-3 in bowl games. This season, Michigan is 9-3 and looking to win a bowl game for the first time since 2015. Most notably, Harbaugh has yet to do the one thing you must do as coach of Michigan — beat Ohio State.
It is not just that Harbaugh's teams are 0-5 against the Buckeyes. It is that they are not competing. Since Harbaugh took over, just one of these so-called rivalry games has been decided by less than 10 points. Ohio State has won the last five meetings by an average of 19 points. This is no longer one of the best rivalries in college football. Ohio State-Michigan has turned into a bye week for the Buckeyes.
Harbaugh will most likely not leave Michigan on his own. He is making $7.5 million to coach the Wolverines and he would take a significant pay cut to return to the NFL. He may not have a choice if Michigan decides to go another way with their program, also unlikely.
It is unknown if either side wants to make a change. What is known is that Michigan football has been viewed as a failure. In Ann Arbor, if you are not making the playoff or beating Ohio State, then there is nothing to celebrate.
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Harbaugh was extremely successful during his time in San Francisco. He led the 49ers to the playoffs in his first season and made one Super Bowl appearance. He was named the AP Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm. After an 8-8 season in 2014 and his first campaign that didn't end in the playoffs, Harbaugh left for his Alma mater.
The eye test says that Harbaugh is better in the pros. He has the attitude and energy needed on an NFL sideline. There will be jobs available over the next few years. The Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers are currently in need of a coach. Both New York teams will join that list shortly. Yes, these are all bad teams but good teams are most likely not in search of a new coach.
Jim Harbaugh could be relieved of his duties in Michigan at the end of the season but if he is not, it is hard to imagine he will leave a top-25 program in college football for a poor NFL team.
If he wants to boost his reputation, it would be wise to return to the NFL and try to win a Super Bowl because it is clear that Michigan is not winning a National Championship anytime soon.
