Jim Harbaugh wished to stay at Michigan after the Wolverines’ national championship season but had doubts about the level of support from athletic director Warde Manuel, according to an upcoming book. In “The Price: What it Takes to Win in College Football’s Era of Chaos,” authors Armen Keteyian and John Talty explore Harbaugh’s considerations as he contemplated leaving his alma mater for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harbaugh also “raged against” Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti to friend Todd Anson during a vacation on Coronado Island. Soon after, Harbaugh interviewed with the Chargers. Ultimately, he accepted the Chargers job just over two weeks after leading the Wolverines to a 34-13 win over Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Manuel told the book’s authors that “I don’t want to use the word ‘surprised'” regarding Harbaugh’s decision. Ultimately, it wasn’t the first time Harbaugh had flirted with the NFL. With the program under intense scrutiny from the NCAA, Harbaugh decided the time was right to make a move
