Situation with ex-OSU coach could be a reason Jim Harbaugh stays

Amid the Michigan football sign-stealing investigation, which has taken the college football media cycle by storm as of late, questions are being raised about what comes next for Jim Harbaugh after the 2023 season. Today, it was reported that Harbaugh may not be welcomed back into the NFL without punishment if the NCAA is to pursue punishment, with the report citing ex-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel as precedent for the league’s response to a coach running from NCAA punishment. Could the precedent set by this ex-Buckeye legend be a factor in Michigan keeping its head coach this offseason?

Ex-Ohio State coach could be the reason Jim Harbaugh stays with Michigan football

Today, it was reported that the NFL may not be a valid option for 9th-year Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh following the 2023 season — not if he were looking to avoid punishment, that is. While Harbaugh has interviewed with two NFL teams over the past few years, ultimately choosing to stay in Ann Arbor both times, many now believe that there is a chance that Harbaugh may look to leave the college ranks due to the Michigan football sign-stealing investigation and more. This, of course, is all hearsay, but brings up some interesting points from a few aspects.

That said, new reports point to ex-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel — who left the Buckeyes amid scandal and jumped to the NFL ranks — as precedent that the league may not accept Harbaugh without punishment that reflects what the NCAA is looking for.

“There isn’t a bylaw governing the matter,” reads today’s NFL.com report on Jim Harbaugh and his ability to bolt back to the NFL following the 2023 season. “But sources pointed to former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel as precedent for how the NFL and its teams could handle a college suspension of Harbaugh, who already served a school-imposed three-game suspension this year for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period and not cooperating with investigators, could still be further disciplined by the NCAA in that case and now faces allegations against the program for an elaborate sign-stealing operation.

“… (Jim) Tressel — who also was suspended five games by Ohio State, but ultimately resigned as Buckeyes coach amidst the scandal — had taken a game-day consultant job with the Colts, and the NFL’s decision on Pryor raised questions,” the report continued. “As is often the case with coaches, the league allowed the team to handle the case, and the Colts announced Tressel wouldn’t be with the club until Week 7 of the 2011 season.

“It wasn’t officially announced as a suspension, but in consultation with the NFL, the effect was the same. And the point was made: No one should escape discipline by leaving college for the pros.”

So, in essence, if Harbaugh were looking to avoid punishment, it doesn’t sound like the NFL would be the place to go.

Too many unknowns to tell what will happen to Michigan, Harbaugh, and more

While all of this continues to unfold, it is widely believed that Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh will get to finish the 2023 season, including coming matchups against Penn State and Ohio State, which will entirely decide this year’s Big Ten title race.

After the season, however, the Michigan football sign-stealing investigation could return to center stage, and there is a chance that Jim Harbaugh will look at all of his options. Still, there are too many unknowns, including how Michigan finishes this season, how the NCAA responds/ what punishment it gives out, and even whether or not the NFL wants Jim Harbaugh to make a return to the professional ranks.

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