The Chargers have viewed Jim Harbaugh’s decision to join the NFL as a success, but ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes college football has won.
The analyst appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday morning and didn’t hold back his feelings regarding the now-former Michigan coach.
To be honest, I think it’s a good thing. Let’s remember a few things about Jim Harbaugh before we go on to the installation of the new pope, Finebaum remarked. “At Michigan, my first six years weren’t particularly great. He was this close to being fired, and he almost got fired. The previous three years were outstanding. Everyone agrees, which is why we should celebrate him today and the reason we’re commemorating him today.
The specialist on college football, though, didn’t take long to criticize the situation he’s leaving behind in Ann Arbor.
The NCAA is currently looking into a sign-stealing incident that resulted in Harbaugh’s three-game Big Ten suspension and was allegedly orchestrated by former Michigan football staff member Connor Stalions.
Finebaum speculated that without Harbaugh still connected to the football program, any punishment handed down from that probe could be less severe.
“But he’s leaving behind a mess. I realize he won the national championship and that’s so easy to celebrate,” Finebaum said. “But there are two separate NCAA investigations ongoing and will be adjudicated.
“And I think in some ways that’s a positive for Michigan, that without him around they will probably skate much easier in the new modern world of the NCAA.”
