Greg McElroy addresses Jim Harbaugh's legacy in college football

Jim Harbaugh’s final game as Michigan head coach saw him hoist the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy before walking away — something not many get to say.

In fact, this is only the fifth instance in college football history to have a coach win a national title and not return the next year, and first since 1997.

For Harbaugh to leave after accomplishing the highest achievement as a college football coach — during the same season where he was suspended on two occasions for separate violations — does that leave a stain on his lasting legacy in college football?

“I think a lot of people don’t like him,” McElroy said on Thursday. “There are there are aspects of what transpired this last year that that made people really, really frustrated. Like I’ve kind of said that I don’t think that the sign-stealing saga is as significant as some people have suggested. I I don’t think it impacts the outcome of games, personally. That’s just my thought, I might be the crazy one. Perfectly fine with that, if that’s the way you feel. I totally get it.

“But I don’t think that he’s viewed very favorably because of that aspect. He’s quirky. I also think, too, that some of the things that transpired early in his tenure at Michigan, with satellite camps, all that stuff just really rubbed people the wrong way.”

What was most open in the media this season out of all of that — and what has soured many outsiders looking in on Michigan’s program — is that sign-stealing drama with Connor Stalions that kept him from coaching the final few games of the Wolverines’ regular season.

Apart from that, there’s no denying that Harbaugh had not only defeated Ohio State in three-straight seasons, they’re three-time Big Ten Champions over that stretch and made the College Football Playoffs in each of those three years as well. Of course, 2024 culminated with the Wolverines’ long-awaited national championship trophy.

“I think that for the most part, people respect the program he built,” McElroy continued. “I think people acknowledge that he’s an elite coach, for sure. But I don’t think on the whole he is viewed very favorable by college football fans because of the apparent shortcuts that people believe he took.”

Regardless, Jim Harbaugh is off to the NFL to coach the Los Angeles Chargers after it was long rumored that he was seeking a return to the professional ranks. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is expected to take over head coaching duties in the wake of Harbaugh’s departure.