Michigan's Jim Harbaugh - Overcame off-field issues knowing 'we were innocent' - ESPN

HOUSTON — After leading Michigan to a national championship and 15-0 record amid a tumultuous season in which he was suspended twice, coach Jim Harbaugh said that «it couldn't have gone better.»

Despite a three-game suspension to open the season after an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations in 2020, followed by a sign-stealing scandal and the subsequent dismissal of staff member Connor Stalions that led to another three-game suspension, Harbaugh said the Wolverines were never rattled.

«It went exactly how we wanted it to go to win every game,» Harbaugh said Monday night after No. 1 Michigan defeated No. 2 Washington 34-13. «The off-the-field issues, we're innocent and we stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent. And I'd like to point that out.

»These guys are innocent. Overcome that… it wasn't that hard because we knew we were innocent."

Harbaugh spoke about how much it meant to him to «check the biggest box» in bringing Michigan back to the pinnacle of college football. He was asked afterward if he was making a list — if winning a Super Bowl would be another goal, a nod to ongoing speculation about interest from NFL teams.

«I just want to enjoy this,» Harbaugh said. «I just want to enjoy this. I hope you give me that. Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be what's next, what's the future? Like I said the other day, yeah, I hope to have a future. I hope there's a tomorrow, a day after tomorrow, a next week, a next month, a next year.»

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, for his part, said he understands «why people in the pros want to hire Jim Harbaugh and talk to him about being a coach.»

«The man went to a Super Bowl, won a conference championship… went back to the conference