The news that Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to join the Los Angeles Chargers hasn’t stopped the football world from reacting. Prior to the NFC Championship game, reporters from MLive conducted a survey in the Detroit Lions locker room and obtained comments from Graham Glasgow and Donovan Peoples-Jones, two former Wolverines.
“It’s bittersweet,” Peoples-Jones said to MLive in reference to Harbaugh leaving Michigan. “His tenure at Michigan was excellent. It took him a long time to reach that point, but once he did, he was there. I’m delighted for him and hope that he and his family will benefit from this move.”
People-Jones was an Ann Arbor player for three seasons under Harbaugh. In 2017, he was named a freshman All-America, then in 2018 and 2019, he was selected to the third team of the Big Ten to round out his college career. When Harbaugh joined Michigan in 2015, Glasgow was a fifth-year senior. Glasgow expressed his belief that his old coach is motivated to win a Super Bowl.
“He’s a very driven person, and he has his own goals,” Glasgow stated. He undoubtedly desired to play in and win a Super Bowl at some point, in my opinion. Having saying that, I appreciate that he stayed for as long as he did. I appreciate that he contributed as much as he did to the program.”
Glasgow likened Harbaugh’s departure from Michigan to the termination of a romantic relationship.
“You’re in a relationship and you’re trying to get more out of someone or you really want something to change in your relationship, but they won’t do it unless (Harbaugh) is really, truly ready to leave. Glasgow remarked, “(Michigan) didn’t really want to do it.” “At that moment, they’re just doing it to placate you. I can see why he might be asking himself, “Do I really want to cope with this? Or should I simply go do something else?”
Under Harbaugh, Michigan had an 89-25 record in nine seasons, including a stunning 40-3 record during the final three. The Wolverines have won three straight Big Ten championships and earlier this month defeated Washington in the national championship game to complete a perfect 15-0 season. This is Michigan’s first national championship since 1997.
Adam Schefter of ESPN verified Glasgow’s statement that Harbaugh’s coaching goal is to win a Super Bowl.
A Michigan check list now that Harbaugh is leaving for the NFL (VIP)
“This is the situation — Michigan made him the highest-paid college football coach,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated on SportsCenter on Wednesday night. “However, Michigan was unable to provide him with the opportunity to win a Super Bowl.” And, basically, that’s all there is to it. It would have been his dream to remain in Michigan. If only Michigan could have had him. However, the truth is that the Chargers offer him the chance to contend for a Super Bowl, and Jim Harbaugh was obviously interested in Los Angeles.”
