Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan football: Why Wolverines coach is returning to Chargers, NFL

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Michigan on Jim Harbaugh leaving the program.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is reportedly leaving the program to take over as coach of the L.A. Chargers, per multiple reports Tuesday, including USA TODAY Sports.

Harbaugh, fresh off leading one of the best seasons in Wolverines history — they went 15-0 and won their first outright title since 1948 — appears to be calling it a career in Ann Arbor. He will reportedly return to the NFL, which he has flirted with each of the past two offseasons.

Following the 2021 college football season, Harbaugh first had serious talks with the Vikings. After the 2022 season, it was the Broncos. In both instances, Harbaugh stayed with his alma mater. Following his first national championship, Harbaugh will return to coach for the same pro team for which he was a player in 1999 and 2000.

REQUIRED REDAING: A look back at Jim Harbaugh's quirkiest moments at Michigan football after Chargers move

In a statement released following news of Harbaugh's move to the NFL, athletic director Warde Manuel hinted that, despite the contract offer he had on the table, Harbaugh ultimately wanted to return to the NFL.

"We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football. In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL. We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach."

Here's a look at why Harbaugh is leaving Michigan football for a return to the NFL and the Chargers:

Why is Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan football?

Myriad reasons exist for Harbaugh to leave Michigan, though only he knows the exact answer. One near-certainty is Harbaugh has sought opportunities to return to the NFL the past two offseasons, including ahead of the Wolverines' 2023 CFP national championship season.

Following the 2021 season, which saw him lead the Wolverines to a 12-2 record and CFP semifinal berth, Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings before ultimately informing athletic director Warde Manuel of his intention to stay. At the time, he said flirtations with the league would not be a recurring issue.

That turned out not to be true, as the next season Harbaugh interviewed with the Broncos for their open head-coaching position. Amid Michigan's run to the College Football Playoff, Harbaugh (twice suspended for three games in 2023) hired NFL-affiliated agent Don Yee to represent him, suggesting a move was imminent back to the NFL.

That came to fruition Wednesday with Harbaugh reportedly taking the Chargers' job. It's uncertain whether the timing of his move is related to his suspensions at Michigan or to ongoing NCAA investigations into Michigan's recruiting during the 2020 COVID-19 dead period or the Wolverines' ongoing sign-stealing scandal.

Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension by Michigan, ostensibly to lessen whatever punishments the NCAA may hand down in regard to the dead-period recruiting investigation. Michigan has been faced with numerous Level II violations and a Level I violation for Harbaugh's refusal to cooperate with NCAA investigators.

The NCAA has not yet delivered a notice of allegations to Michigan in regard to the sign-stealing scandal, though Harbaugh was suspended for three games to end the regular season by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti for violating the conference's sportsmanship guidelines.

REQUIRED READING: Jim Harbaugh buyout: What Michigan football is owed as coach is hired by L.A. Chargers

Jim Harbaugh coaching record at Michigan

Harbaugh had a sterling coaching record at Michigan — and an impressive resume to boast to NFL suitors. In nine seasons in Ann Arbor, he accumulated an 86-25 record for the Wolverines. That includes six seasons double-digit win records and just one losing season (the Wolverines went 2-4 in the COVID-19-affected 2020 season).

On top of his impressive record, Harbaugh won the Big Ten and made the CFP in three consecutive seasons, winning his first national title in 2023.

Michigan statement on Jim Harbaugh

Manuel and Michigan president Santa Ono both released a statement in response to Harbaugh leaving for the NFL. Said Manuel:

"I want to thank Jim for everything he has done for our football program, athletic department and the University of Michigan over the past nine years. Every day, he has worked extremely hard to elevate the stature of Michigan across the world, with the goal of winning championships and developing young men on and off the football field.

"Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan, build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships, culminating with a record three straight outright conference titles and the national championship this year. He did the same off the field by graduating his players and providing life experiences through mentorships, internships and team trips around the globe.

"We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football. In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL. We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach.

"Jim has always been extremely upfront with his communication regarding NFL opportunities and has been helpful with this transition in leadership. We had a great conversation tonight when he informed me of this decision to return to the NFL and offered his assistance in helping identify the needs for the program moving forward.

"We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together.

"We appreciate Jim’s dedication and passion for Michigan, the university and Ann Arbor, and I wish Jim and the entire Harbaugh family much success with the Los Angeles Chargers."

Added Ono:

"We have been in talks with Jim Harbaugh for the last several weeks and have tried our best to retain him as our football coach. Jim called me today and let me know that he has made the difficult decision to leave Michigan and join the Los Angeles Chargers in pursuit of his NFL dreams.

"For the fans, the players, and for me personally, we are sad to hear of Jim’s departure. His drive and ambition turned our program around, delivered our first national championship in a quarter century and maintained Michigan as the all-time winningest team in the history of college football.

"I thank Jim for all he has done for the University of Michigan and respect his decision. He has been an extraordinary leader and a friend. I will be cheering for Jim as he embarks on this next adventure."

Jim Harbaugh 49ers record

Of course, Harbaugh's move to the Chargers isn't his first foray into the NFL. He coached in the league for several seasons with the San Franisco 49ers. He coached the NFC West team from 2011-14, averaging 12 wins a season in his first three years before falling to 8-8 in 2014. He finished 44-19-1 with the 49ers.

Harbaugh's best season in the NFL came in 2012, when he led San Francisco to a Super Bowl berth against the Baltimore Ravens, coached by his brother, John Harbaugh.

Did Jim Harbaugh win a Super Bowl?

To date, Jim Harbaugh is 0-1 all time in the Super Bowl. And he has his brother, John Harbaugh, to thank. The Ravens beat Jim harbaugh's 49ers team 34-31 in the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, costing him his one chance at winning the biggest game in the entirety of the sport.

That was the closest Jim Harbaugh ever got to winning the Super Bowl, as the 49ers lost in the NFC championship game the following season to the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers missed the playoffs completely in 2014 and, the following season, Harbaugh began his nine-year coaching stay at Michigan.

John Harbaugh, for what it's worth, is on the cusp of a second Super Bowl berth. His Ravens are the top overall seed of the NFL playoffs and will host the defending Super Bowl-champion Chiefs in the AFC championship game Sunday with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan football for L.A. Chargers, NFL