Eric Boggs
Michigan’s recent decision to make Jim Harbaugh an honorary captain for their season opener against Fresno State is nothing short of a slap in the face to the NCAA and the entire college football community. Despite being under investigation for a cheating scandal and recently receiving a four-year show-cause penalty for unethical conduct, Michigan continues to flaunt its arrogance and overinflated ego.
This move epitomizes the hubris that has become an epidemic in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh, who left Michigan for the NFL after leading the Wolverines to a national championship, now returns to the spotlight despite his tarnished reputation. The NCAA’s sanctions against him were clear: Harbaugh engaged in unethical conduct, failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance, and violated head coach responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, instead of acknowledging these serious violations, Michigan chose to celebrate Harbaugh, as if his actions were something to be proud of.
The sign-stealing scandal that led to Harbaugh’s three-game suspension last season remains unresolved, further casting a shadow over his tenure. This ongoing investigation into impermissible in-person scouting is just another example of the culture of deceit that seems to pervade the Michigan football program. The fact that Michigan is still willing to honor Harbaugh, despite the unresolved nature of these serious allegations, speaks volumes about the arrogance that seems to define the program.
When Harbaugh was given the chance to atone for his actions during the NCAA investigation into the COVID-19 recruiting violations, he chose to lie instead. Rather than admitting to allowing recruits onto campus or meeting them at a local diner, Harbaugh denied everything, prolonging the investigation and making the situation far worse. His actions were a far cry from the values supposedly instilled in him as a “Michigan Man,” a term often associated with integrity and honor.
But Michigan, it seems, is no longer interested in those values. Instead, they have embraced a win-at-all-costs mentality, even if it means compromising the integrity of their program. This is not the Michigan of Bo Schembechler, who once said, “In times of difficulty, those brave enough to stay the course will be victors in the end.” Harbaugh, by contrast, took the easy way out, abandoning ship when the waters got rough. He is no victor worth hailing—he is a coward, a fraud, and a symbol of everything wrong with college football today.
Michigan’s decision to honor Harbaugh is more than just a misguided show of loyalty; it’s a blatant display of arrogance that underscores the program’s willingness to ignore ethics and integrity in pursuit of glory. This isn’t about celebrating a national championship; it’s about Michigan thumbing its nose at the NCAA, the rules, and the very idea of fair play. And in doing so, Michigan has shown the world that its pride and ego matter more than the integrity of the sport itself.
