Jim Harbaugh once claimed that the Michigan-OSU rivalry was “very manufactured” and that it was overhyped. This sort of talk might not have gone down well with both sets of fans, but Harbaugh, who has been part of these games both as a player and as a coach is well-placed that most to talk about this rivalry. 2023 saw another chapter added to their storied rivalry when it emerged that OSU was possibly behind tipping the NCAA over Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. But since then fresh details have emerged.

As a player, Jim Harbaugh never lost to OSU. While the current Chargers HC turned up for the Wolverines from 1983-86, he only played against OSU twice, winning on both occasions. His rivalry with Ohio State continued further when he became Michigan’s coach in 2015 but he lost his first five meetings with them before finally winning in 2021 and ending with a 3-5 record. Notably, during his last win, Harbaugh was missing from the touchline as he was serving a three-game ban for his alleged involvement in the sign-stealing scandal.

According to a report by Yahoo, the details of Michigan’s letter highlighted that it wasn’t their arch-rival Ohio State, but actually an unnamed source from within the Wolverines’ own campus who tipped the organization. And it seems Harbaugh has put the intense rivalry with OSU in the rearview to an extent.

Harbaugh was excited to see his alma mater upset OSU in November saying that it was a “Legendary achievement!” OSU bounced back from that loss to win the national championship and you would believe that Harbaugh might be rooting against them. However, as it turns out that was not the case, at least according to the NFL coach.

During an interview with Dan Patrick on Wednesday, Harbaugh was asked whether or not he was rooting for Notre Dame to beat OSU in the national championship game. Harbaugh said, “I found myself just rooting for the team that was playing the hardest.” This answer prompted Patrick to interject and ask, “You didn’t care if Ohio State lost?”

Harbaugh answered, “No, I don’t. That stuff doesn’t get in my head you know Dan. It doesn’t occupy that kind of space in the dome.” The answer caught Dan Patrick by surprise who then brought up how Michigan alum Rich Eisen said he was supporting Notre Dame against OSU. Harbaugh then clarified why it doesn’t matter to him what OSU does.

“In their lives, coaches make the mistake of letting a certain school, opponent, or rival get in their head—occupying space and running around in their mind. The main thing is to take care of yourself. You have a team that you can coach, a team that you can do everything in your power to make better,” he said. It appears that Harbaugh has put the past behind him and moved on from college football rivalries.

Harbaugh ended his tenure at Michigan with 86 wins, the fourth most in program history, trailing only Bo Schembechler, Fielding H. Yost, and Lloyd Carr. His time also saw him secure three consecutive wins over OSU, further endearing himself to the Wolverines faithful. But according to him, the hype of the game was

In November 2023, as he served a three-game suspension, Harbaugh didn’t mince his words about the OSU-Michigan rivalry.

The game between Ohio State and Michigan does take a life of its own. Following OSU’s loss to Michigan this season, vice-president elect JD Vance commended the Buckeyes, his alma mater, for their effort. This led to Michigan fans mocking him online, showcasing the intense emotion associated with the game.

Though Harbaugh still harbors love for Michigan, he is eager to escape the shadow of his college football tenure, but for the fans, he will remain a larger-than-life figure at Ann Arbor. Overseeing 114 games with the program, recording a .781 winning percentage, and, most significantly, taking the team to their first championship since 1997 carries a strong testament to his consistent hard work and dedication to the team’s critical realignment.

But the taste of championship success was soured by the sign-stealing scandal that is still clouding Harbaugh and Michigan. While many have defended the  NFL HC, a former Chargers LB was sent a stern warning to him and Michigan.

Former Chargers LB calls for strict NCAA action if Harbaugh is found guilty

The long-standing sign-stealing investigation recently found new ground as the former Chargers linebacker Joshua Perry triggered the NCAA to come to a decision on their ongoing litigation with the Wolverines if found guilty.

Talking on The Bobby Carpenter Show, Perry said, “I know the NCAA doesn’t like to punish current players for mistakes made in the past. But I missed out on a chance to win a national title in 2012. I do not care. We are grown; we can handle it. There should be scholarship reductions. I think there should be financial fines as well.”

In its response to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations, the Wolverines launched a staunch defense of their staff members accusing the NCAA of “grossly overreaching” and “wildly overcharging” the program.

Michigan claims the NCAA’s charge against Harbaugh is “without merit.” as “the NCAA alleges that Harbaugh failed to cooperate between Oct. 20 and Jan. 24, 2024, when he did not produce text and telephone records from his personal cell prior to his departure from the school.”

But according to Michigan’s 137-page document, Harbaugh’s phones were taken for imaging and were part of a large initial collection of data. “However, there were “legitimate concerns” that the data being imaged contained personal and sensitive information and/or attorney-client communications, so images were withheld. The NCAA did not receive Harbaugh’s images by the deadline and deemed him to have failed to comply,” the document reveals.

Harbaugh has maintained his innocence and denied any involvement in the sign-stealing scandal. However, Perry noted that given how Michigan is fighting hard to prove its case, it suggests that they fear a harsh punishment if they are found guilty. Whether the final verdict effects Jim Harbaugh remains to be seen, but for now he is only looking to the future with his college football run in the backdrop.