Look, I don't know if Jim Harbaugh lied to the NCAA about some relatively minor infractions at the University of Michigan. Maybe he really is that dumb -- although I've seen no conclusive evidence of it.
After all, the guy came to Michigan proclaimed as a savior, and, after a few years of wallowing around, he seems to have gotten comfy in the role. He finally beat Ohio State and got the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff last year, and yesterday Michigan was ranked No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press poll. Even got a couple first-place votes.
In other words, if he's as soft in the head as the NCAA seems to intimate, he hides it well.
But if he did lie to investigators, perhaps we should re-open the floor. Because that turned what were a series of Level II infractions -- contacting recruits during the Covid 19 dead period, having too many people participate in on-field coaching, stuff like that -- into a Level I infraction. And that initially got Harbaugh a four-game sitdown to start the 2023 season.
Except ...
Except the other day, the NCAA called a do-over and decided to look into the Harbaugh case further. That process likely will last well into 2024.
This means Harbaugh is off the hook, at least for now. He'll coach the entire 2023 season. And if he's craftier than the NCAAs give him credit for being, he'll slither off the hook for keeps, even if the reopened investigation finds more shenanigans.
I mean, he's already flirted with NFL suitors the last two or three offseasons. Talked to the Panthers and actually flew out to Denver to meet with the Broncos this time. So you've got to wonder what happens if the NCAA comes back with more dirt on Harbaugh's program, and if he might already have a reimagined Great Escape back to the NFL in the works.
Steve McQueen had a motorcycle in the movie. Harbaugh would have ... I don't know, a sweet multi-year deal with the Cardinals or the Texans or some other bunch of sadsacks all set up on the down-low.
That would leave Michigan holding the bag for his misadventures, which wouldn't be the first time that happened. Coaches at Harbaugh's level are opportunists; that's how they got to that level. Even the most seemingly loyal have one ear cocked for the whistle of the train headed out of town should things go south.
So ... yeah. Why does my inner cynic think Harbaugh's already working on a run for the NFL border?
Other than I suspect he's not nearly so dense as the NCAA seems to think.
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