Nearly seven months after Jim Harbaugh took the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, he remains a hot topic in college football.
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced a four-year show-cause penalty and a one-year suspension for Harbaugh due to recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period in 2021. The punishment is largely symbolic, as there’s no indication that Harbaugh plans to return to college coaching. However, the NCAA seems intent on making an example of him, even at the risk of appearing foolish.
Just two days after the NCAA’s announcement, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel revealed that the Wolverines would welcome Harbaugh back to the Big House as an honorary captain for the season opener on August 31. This announcement sparked a social media frenzy, with Michigan fans excited to see Harbaugh return to Ann Arbor, especially since many believe he’s been unfairly targeted by the NCAA. Rival fans, unsurprisingly, have had a different reaction.
Here are some social media reactions to the news of Harbaugh being named Michigan’s honorary captain for the season opener:
🐐#GoBlue https://t.co/KU3rd8EQNn pic.twitter.com/Clcm8aGJ5n
— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) August 9, 2024
Mike Valenti with nothing but facts about Jim Harbaugh being named an Honorary Captain first week of the year pic.twitter.com/3bHqeK5xYQ
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) August 9, 2024
I couldn’t love this move more. #Michigan https://t.co/JrmBRRi2uT
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) August 9, 2024
Captain Coach!!!!! Let’s goooooooo!!!! https://t.co/gdvEu4mUoy
— Ryan Ermanni (@RyanEFox2) August 9, 2024
Harbaugh is a National Treasure 😂 https://t.co/3lINGoG5qe
— BongoBlue2 (@Blue2Bongo) August 9, 2024
I honestly respect it. https://t.co/iTaSKzItwk
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) August 9, 2024
Michigan with a good ole 🖕 to the NCAA https://t.co/lRWOZGH11z
— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) August 9, 2024
Oh my god MAKE IT STOP https://t.co/fPcQGqDI6A
— MilkManMSU (@MilkManMSU) August 9, 2024
Douchebag behavior. https://t.co/Rj8DxQ3zUD
— Buckeye Frank (Buckeye Productions) (@FrankD_419) August 9, 2024
This can’t be real https://t.co/4YJiGVIzpA
— Carson (@cmacrae13) August 9, 2024
Just this week, the NCAA suspended Jim Harbaugh for a year. He served two different suspensions LAST SEASON.
Michigan couldn’t even keep him away for ONE GAME. What a disgraceful athletic department. https://t.co/Jbz6PSaVQc
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) August 9, 2024
