Report: Jim Harbaugh Complained About Michigan AD, Big Ten’s Petitti Before NFL Move

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVMay 23, 2024

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Jim Harbaugh complained about Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti prior to leaving the school and accepting the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job, according to CBS Sports’ John Talty.

Talty reported that Harbaugh told a friend he wanted to stay with the Wolverines but that Manuel “was not the advocate he needed in his corner.” The coach also “raged against” Petitti.

On Manuel, there could’ve been some residual anger left over from when Harbaugh took a pay cut on the heels of Michigan’s 2-4 record in the pandemic-shortened season. Perhaps that’s when the 60-year-old began to question the administration’s commitment.

The NCAA investigation hanging over the football program complicated the relationship further.

Talty reported Michigan was prepared to pay Harbaugh $11-plus million a year but that “university lawyers had pressed for termination language that would protect the school in the event of an unforeseen turn in the sign-stealing investigation.”

Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel first reported in January that Harbaugh was “seeking language that would grant him immunity from termination from any finding or sanction that could arise from multiple current NCAA investigations into the football program.”

That appears to have been a significant wedge between the two parties.

Petitti, meanwhile, became persona non grata in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with how the conference handled the sign-stealing allegations against the Wolverines. Harbaugh was suspended for three games, including the two biggest on the team’s schedule. Michigan wound up beating Penn State and Ohio State without him.

According to Talty, Harbaugh was specifically frustrated when Petitti declined to show up for a meeting they had scheduled.

The newest reporting drives home how Harbaugh’s tenure had simply run its course.

It’s no secret his personality can wear thin on those who have to work with him, so a showdown with Manuel was probably inevitable. In addition, Harbaugh clearly coveted a return to the NFL. He interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 on national signing day.

Michigan winning a national title allowed everyone to make a clean break without feeling too bitter.