Michigan AD Warde Manuel Gets Brutally Honest on Jim Harbaugh Raiding Jesse Minter and Co. for Chargers: “Not Going to Have Any Animosity”

Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel is a man of few words, so when he speaks, people listen. He recently opened his office to the Detroit Free Press to drop his insights on the past and future of Michigan. And his take on Michigan football’s former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is fascinating. 

Michigan lost two central coaching figures in 58 days when Harbaugh left for the NFL to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and basketball coach Juwan Howard was fired after suffering the program’s worst history. This sudden departure marked the beginning of a new era for Sherrone Moore and Dusty May. But when Harbaugh left, he took some of the best football coaches, like Jesse Minter and Been Herbert, to the NFL, leaving a significant void in the Michigan football program. See what Manuel has to say about this.

Warde Manuel understands Jim Harbaugh’s move 

When Sherrone Moore stepped into Jim Harbaugh’s shoes, he was tasked with finding players and coaches replacements. However, for Manuel, Jim Harbaugh taking away coaches with him seemed like his best choice for his run in the NFL. He told the Detroit Free Press, “People have choices to make, man. Jim knows what he wants to do at the Chargers… The mark of great success of people is when they come to a program or organization and leave it better than they found it. Jim did that… Whomever from the staff wants to go with Jim, I’m not going to have any animosity toward them.”

The Michigan Wolverines are among the winningest college football programs, and when Jim Harbaugh stepped in as the head coach, he faced challenges and success. During COVID, Harbaugh recorded 2-4, and fans wanted him to get fired. Even so, Manuel didn’t let that happen. Instead, he restructured his contract while Harbaugh revamped his performance and went on to secure three consecutive Big Ten championships, ultimately winning the National Championship game in his final year in Michigan. After making history in Michigan, Manuel wishes Harbaugh success in the NFL and hopes to see him achieve his goals. 

Jim Harbaugh’s goal in the NFL

Jim Harbaugh coached in the NFL as the HC of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. During that time, he took his team to a Super Bowl appearance, where he ultimately lost to his brother John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl XLVII. Since then, he’s been in Michigan and has expressed his unwavering desire to finish what he started in the NFL – to win a Super Bowl.

Warde Manuel knows his intention and has only positive wishes for him as he says, “I appreciate what Jim did for us. I love him for it. And I do sincerely wish him great success. I hope he wins a Super Bowl, I know what it means for him to want to do that. The drive. And I will be happy the day he succeeds in it.” Hopefully, Harbaugh’s first year with the Chargers will give him a great foundation to fulfill his NFL goal.