After an ugly loss to Florida in the Peach Bowl, Michigan football may soon have something to consider when it comes to Jim Harbaugh.
Another big game, another loss. Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh so he could come in and lead the program back to relevancy, but after four years, he has no Big Ten titles and a few blowout wins in big games to show for that heavy paycheck.
The Wolverines were expecting conference titles, playoff appearances and consistent 10-plus win seasons. The only one they’ve gotten thus far is the double-digit win seasons — in three out of four years. However, most fans would rather have titles and big wins as most of the wins have been in meaningless fashion.
Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl loss to Florida was further proof of that. Everyone expected the Wolverines to beat the Gators, but they came in vastly unprepared.
Michigan had a month to prepare for Florida but the Gators came out and smacked the Wolverines in the mouth and kept punching until the very end with a 41-15 blowout victory.
So the question that must be answered is this: has Harbaugh worn out his welcome in Ann Arbor?
The answer may not be quite so simple, but it’s becoming a bit clearer. Is he washed up as a coach? Not at all, but he may have reached his ceiling in Ann Arbor. He’s bringing in top recruiting classes, but can’t seem to beat teams like Ohio State and make it over that 10-win hump.
The talent has been there for Michigan, but the offense is living in the 1980s.
Something has to change for Michigan in order for Harbaugh to continue moving forward with the program. It’s been a tough go for Harbaugh in the maize and blue as head coach and he has failed to live up to expectations through four years.
Is it time for Michigan to move on? Possibly, but one more year without a Big Ten title or College Football Playoff appearance should spell the end of the Harbaugh era.