Football World Reacts to Michigan President's Statement on Jim Harbaugh

Michigan president Santa Ono wants Wolverines fans to know, if Jim Harbaugh leaves, it's not his fault. At least that's what it sounds like per Ono's latest statement.

Ono endorsed Harbaugh as the university's football coach and said he hopes Harbaugh returns to his post in 2023 in a tweet on Thursday.

"I pleased to share that I have been having very positive and constructive conversations with our Athletic Director and Football Coach," Ono said. "Warde Manuel and I both want to see Jim Harbaugh stay as the head football coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines."

Harbaugh then released a statement about Ono's statement.

"I am in full support of President Ono's message to our fans and appreciate his support of me and the team," Harbaugh said.

The circle of statements has fans believing that there is still serious interest from Harbaugh in coaching the Denver Broncos, who fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett after just 15 games this season. Harbaugh reportedly interviewed with the Broncos on Monday.

"To me, this screams PR move. The old 'We Tried' if he ends up leaving. If things did go well and he’s gonna stay, that’d be a bigger announcement. If it was actually a 'positive and constructive' conversation but no decision was made, why say anything?" one fan said.

"As we all know, what you 'want' and what you get aren’t always the same," another wrote.

"Harbaugh becomes the coach of the Broncos. 'We tried everything we could to keep him here. Don't blame us!'" a fan said.

The variable that could change that would be the Wolverines offering Harbaugh a more enticing deal to stay put, as pointed out by Ralph Russo of the Associated press.

With all the back-and-forth, there has been no real development on whether or not Harbaugh will return to coach Michigan next season.

"A graphic of a statement responding to a statement of optimism, this is peak college football," The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach said.