Jim Harbaugh left the Michigan Wolverines on top. Harbaugh completed his reinvention of the Michigan football program with a National Championship, freeing him to re-join the NFL and try to accomplish the same thing with the LA Chargers.
Harbaugh didn't leave Michigan without some controversy. The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for three games in his final season, with more discipline potentially coming thanks to the Connor Stallions sign-stealing scandal.
The University of Michigan is seemingly attempting to get ahead of any sanctions from the NCAA and new head coach Sherrone Moore has become the fall guy. According to ESPN sources, Moore is expected to serve a self-sanctioned two-game suspension this upcoming season.
Sherrone Moore to serve self-sanctioned two-game suspension long after Jim Harbaugh left for the Chargers
Harbaugh has been with the Chargers for so long now that he seems completely removed from the self-sanction. By leaving when he did, Harbaugh ensured he would not be part of the fallout from all the controversy that surrounded his last year with the program.
While Harbaugh did jump ship and didn't have to serve another suspension like his former offensive coordinator, the NCAA did still attempt to get the last laugh over the Chargers' head coach. Harbaugh was issued a four-year show-cause last August for recruiting violations, essentially meaning he could not coach in college until August 2028.
Good thing Harbaugh is going to be coaching the Chargers during that time. That suspension means nothing for someone who will be coaching in the NFL during that time. If anything, it was an attempt to show force by the NCAA.
It is unlikely Harbaugh would have received that long of a suspension from the NCAA if he had stayed at Michigan. It is also unclear how big of a self-sanctioned suspension Harbaugh would have received from Michigan for the Stallions issue.
Getting a chance to coach Justin Herbert and win a Super Bowl was definitely the driving force of Harbaugh's return to the NFL. However, getting out at the perfect time to avoid these suspensions was definitely an added bonus.