Many in college football circles are unsure of how to react to the Chargers’ choice of Jim Harbaugh as Brandon Staley’s replacement as head coach, despite some in Los Angeles applauding the move.
While some felt Harbaugh’s departure from Michigan several weeks after leading the team to its first national title since 1997 was a necessary and long-overdue split, others think he left the school in the midst of an NCAA investigation into a number of grave infractions.
To address Finebaum’s criticism, in his first six seasons at Michigan, Harbaugh had a 49-22 record, which included a 1-4 bowl record and a 0-5 record versus Ohio State, Michigan’s bitter rival. However, Harbaugh had a 37-3 record, a national championship, and was undefeated versus the Buckeyes in his final three years.
It’s very possible that Harbaugh departed the collegiate ranks as a result of that national championship. He was spared from having to prove that he was among the best college football coaches and from having to wait to face stiff penalties from the NCAA for his role in the UM sign-stealing incident.
