ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jim Harbaugh won’t return to the Big House as honorary captain for the Michigan football opener.
The Wolverines invited Harbaugh to the Aug. 31 game against Fresno State, but the national championship coach said he doesn’t feel right leaving the Los Angeles Chargers and “taking a deeper bow.”
New head coach Sherrone Moore said Harbaugh told him the news over the phone on Monday night.
Harbaugh was Michigan’s head coach for nine seasons, taking over a 5-7 roster and eventually winning a national title. Over his final three seasons, the Wolverines went 40-3 with three Big Ten championships, three wins over Ohio State, and three playoff appearances.
But it was the timing of Michigan’s invitation that dominated headlines. Harbaugh was announced as an honorary captain right after the NCAA leaked his one-year suspension for recruiting violations.
Moore made it clear the decision to bring Harbaugh back was not made to spite the NCAA.
“We made that decision, like, in March or January or February, so it’s really to honor him for what he’s done for Michigan,” Moore said. “Came back for nine years and took us to where we are now, so it was really to honor him. It was nothing besides that.”
Harbaugh’s parents will take his place on the field.