I do have a bit of an inside scoop as to why Jim is entertaining this option this time around…he has even been transparent with potential recruits in saying so.
Look, I am not going to sit here and pretend Michigan is an Ivy League school or even Notre Dame for that matter. But the lack of willingness in the admissions department to give UM a longer leash when it comes to potential transfer portal athletes/high school recruits is frustrating Harbaugh.
Also, Michigan has not kept up with the SEC/other powers in the early days of NIL. Many programs are flourishing with these new rules but Michigan is not one of them. Despite having one of (if not the) the largest alumni bases in the world, the main theme is that “boosters” would be willing to pony up, but most of them are asking for more access to the program in exchange…which is a slippery slope and one UM is approaching carefully.
Though it would suck, I would not blame Jim one bit if he takes the NFL up on their offers this time. I think the Georgia loss was pretty sobering as it showed that UM is not even close to competing on that stage and they will continue to fall farther behind as time progresses for the reasons I mentioned above. 2021 may have been the ceiling for the program.
Combine that with the fact that Jim is now once again a “hot name” in coaching circles just 365 days after being coined a lame duck by many who was coaching for his job.
Though there are some rebuilding projects in the NFL, the playing field is much more even than the college landscape.
Pained me to type all of that as I have been a Michigan fanatic for over 30 years…