Warde Manuel Announces Jim Harbaugh as Michigan’s Honorary Captain for Week 1

Jim Harbaugh‘s return to Ann Arbor won’t take long. He’ll be back in the Big House before reintroducing himself to the NFL, serving as Michigan football‘s honorary captain in Week 1.

The school’s Athletic Director Warde Manuel announced the news during an interview with the 1 Star Recruits podcast.

“I look forward to seeing him in September and I look forward to having him back here in Ann Arbor that game,” Manuel said. “A lot of respect. That man was the captain of our (1986) team and led us to the Rose Bowl.”

This news comes days after the 10-year Michigan head coach was served with a four-year ban by the NCAA.

The program has yet to announce anything formally.

Bringing in honorary captains was a program tradition under Harbaugh. So, despite the noise surrounding his tenure right now, it’s fitting to see him as the first of the Sherrone Moore Era.

Captains before him include the likes of Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Colin Kaepernick, Charles Woodson, and the late Dametrius “Meechie” Walker.

The Wolverines host Fresno State in the opener, which will almost certainly include a pre-game tribute to Harbaugh’s historic tenure.

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Warde Manuel Comments on Critics & How He Handled Harbaugh Negotiations

Following Harbaugh’s departure earlier this year, Manuel was often blamed as a primary factor for the 10-year coach’s exit.

Manuel, who was recently named the nation’s best athletic director, didn’t shy away from the rumors.

The podcast hosts – Rip & DK – specifically asked Manuel to address those who criticized his handling of the situation.

“Man, all I can do is laugh at the fact that people think that [I didn’t do enough to re-sign Harbaugh],” Manuel said. “As much work as I put in and as many conversations as I had with Jim [Harbaugh], his attorneys, the President [Santa Ono], the board, our legal team … all the conversations and effort I put in: I wanted Jim to stay here.

“I had great conversations with the lawyers he had; I had great conversations with him,” he added. “I think he was looking at two options. As he said in his press conference, he couldn’t win a Lombardi Trophy if he remained at Michigan. And that was something he wanted to do.”

Jan 13, 2024; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh hugs athletic director Warde Manuel during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, rumors are rumors, and there’s no shortage of them in the Michigan beat.

Despite what you may hear, the separation seemed amicable based on Manuel’s retelling.

“I told him when he called me to let me know he was going to leave that I’m sad for us and happy for him. I want him to be successful and I’ll be cheering him on,” he said. “Jim and I were teammates. So, people or critics who said I didn’t do enough, I think, are misguided. I have great respect for Jim, and I’ve had great respect for Jim since 1986.”

He then went on to remind everyone that, at one point, he was one of few standing by his former teammate turned coach.

“That respect for Jim and his ability to coach is when, in 2020, when some of these same critics of mine were telling me I needed to fire Jim Harbaugh, I kept him.”

It seems like all is well between the former teammates.