The Michigan Wolverines will open their 2024 season on August 31 as they take on the Fresno State Bulldogs, but former head coach Jim Harbaugh will not be on hand, head coach Sherrone Moore said Tuesday.
Moore said that Harbaugh called him Monday and said he wouldn’t be able to attend. He wanted to focus on the Los Angeles Chargers while letting Michigan have its moment to honor the 2024 National Champions without being a distraction.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel originally announced on a podcast last week that Harbaugh would serve as the honorary captain for the season opener.
Harbaugh played quarterback at Michigan from 1982-86 before embarking on a lengthy NFL playing and coaching career. He then returned to his alma mater as head coach, going 86-25 in nine seasons with the school, including three straight Big Ten Championships (2021-23), three College Football Playoff appearances, and the university’s first Rose Bowl victory and National Championship since 1997.
Harbaugh is also subject to a four-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA for COVID-era recruiting violations. Should the 60-year-old ever decide to return to college coaching, he would be suspended for his entire first season.
Harbaugh’s parents, Jack and Jackie, will stand in for him during the pregame festivities. Jack served as an assistant under Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler from 1973-79. He and his wife were fixtures at Michigan football games while Jim was head coach.
[ESPN]
