“Sucks so much”: Michigan fans express dissent toward Jim Harbaugh for skipping season opener against Fresno State

Jim Harbaugh will not be Michigan's honorary captain during the Wolverines' 2024 season opener against Fresno State. Just a few days after leading Michigan to the national title last season, Harbaugh left Ann Arbor to become the new coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

After Michigan fans learned that Harbaugh declined the team's offer to attend the Aug. 31 celebration, they berated the Chargers coach on X:

"Harbaugh bailing on Michigan again. Who would’ve thought?," one tweeted.

"This sucks so much." another tweeted.

"Jim running scared again," tweeted a third.

Amid the barrage of tweets expressing discontent at Harbaugh, some fans suggested the NCAA may have been involved in the coach declining the role as Michigan's honorary captain.

"In other words, the NCAA wouldn't allow it," one user tweeted.

"Don’t antagonize the governing body. First smart thing they’ve done." one tweeted.

"Jim Harbaugh shoved in a locker by the NCAA," tweeted another.

Harbaugh led Michigan to the national title with an unbeaten record last season. It was the program's first national title since 1997.

However, there was some controversy around the Wolverines' success, involving the sign-stealing scandal. The scandal led to Harbaugh serving a three-game suspension in the Wolverines' final three regular-season games.

Nonetheless, on Tuesday, Harbaugh turned into public enemy No. 1 among Michigan fans. Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore broke the news of Harbaugh's no-show for the matchup against Fresno State.

Notably, there's a suggestion Harbaugh might be unable to attend Michigan's season opener because he needs to focus on his Chargers. Los Angeles opens its regular season on Sept. 8 when it hosts the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jim Harbaugh handed four-year show cause by NCAA

Former Michigan Wolverines HC Jim Harbaugh (Source: Imagn)

Last week, the NCAA gave Harbaugh a four-year show-cause order for impermissible contact with recruits and players when access was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show-cause order effectively bans Harbaugh from coaching at the collegiate level until August 2028.

Even before his punishment was announced, Harbaugh declined to apologize for the scandal.