Jim Harbaugh makes statement on coaching Michigan, hedges in a big way

With rumors about University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the NFL swirling on a daily basis, he felt like it was time to say something.

Well, at least something more than his one sentence interview on Wednesday.

Harbaugh released a statement on Thursday afternoon through the Wolverines’ official football Twitter account. While it looks like a commitment to Michigan in 2023, there’s significant hedging.

A Michigan Man through and through.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ZLZiCSw8AG

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 5, 2023

You can read that entire statement multiple times, but there’s really only one sentence that matters.

“As I stated in December, while no one knows that the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023,” Harbaugh wrote.

Just like when Harbaugh spoke to the Queen City News, he used the same line again about the future: no one knows what it holds. This the ultimate hedge, with Harbaugh still leaving the door wide open for a return to the NFL. He also “expects” to be back at Michigan, but didn’t downright commit to returning in 2023.

This is simply a leverage play from Harbaugh. It’s a message to Broncos ownership and others around the league: write the biggest check you can and pry me away from Ann Arbor. The University probably begged Harbaugh to release this statement, as a message to recruits and current players, so they hopefully don’t jump ship to another school.

It’s barely news, but it’s still the most Harbaugh has spoken since another disappointing loss in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Anyone can read what it truly means, though, and that’s Harbaugh wants a massive payday if he’s going to leave his alma mater.

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