Paul Finebaum on Jim Harbaugh coaching Michigan in 2023: 'I think he wants out'

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater01/06/23

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Michigan has had to put out plenty of fires already since their loss in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Between Jim Harbaugh’s potential interest in taking an NFL job and now possible NCAA violations committed by the program, it has been a long six days in Ann Arbor.

With that said, Paul Finebaum believes it’s just getting started. On ‘Get Up’ this morning, he said he doesn’t believe Harbaugh will be at Michigan for much longer. Considering the interest from pro teams and this new backdrop regarding potential violations, Finebaum believes the released statement from Harbaugh was premature.

“I don’t (think Harbaugh will coach Michigan next season),” said Finebaum. “Think about this. They knew this story was coming out. That’s the way the industry works. You call a school to get a comment. So I think they rushed that statement out by Harbaugh. (It) made no sense at all other than stating the obvious. I think it’s setting up his departure.”

Harbaugh just wrapped up his eighth season with the Wolverines. After some decent runs to start his tenure, things have really kicked up a notch the last two seasons. That’s because Michigan has gone 25-3 in that span and both won the Big Ten and made the College Football Playoff each of those years.

Still, all Finebaum had to do was look back just a year ago for further evidence. Around this time last year, he was having conversations with the Minnesota Vikings about their vacant job while also focusing on Signing Day with Michigan. Regardless of what he says or does, Finebaum believes Harbaugh’s recent behavior makes someone he considers to be fairly unpredictable a lot easier to read.

“Jim Harbaugh is one of the most difficult people in the world to predict. But with these types of offers coming in? I think he’ll take one,” said Finebaum. “And, don’t forget, sitting here in February? We were talking about, on Signing Day, Jim Harbaugh trying to get the Minnesota Vikings job. I think he wants out of there in spite of that bloviating statement and in spite of this NCAA investigation.”