Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan football for the NFL will benefit who most? Look at clubs and head coaches that benefit.
When Jim Harbaugh left Michigan for the NFL’s LA Chargers, supporters were unhappy.
OSU coach Ryan Day probably wasn’t disappointed. Perhaps Day is upset because Harbaugh coaches in the NFL and he can never avenge the “born on third base” insult. He lost his next two Michigan matchups.
Since Jim Harbaugh left, Ohio State/Ryan Day has been the greatest benefit. While Sherrone Moore may be an excellent head coach, it’s unlikely he’ll be as successful as Harbaugh. Ryan Day hasn’t been as successful as Urban Meyer.
I don’t think this will affect the Buckeyes. While Harbaugh was in charge, Ohio State out-recruited Michigan. Harbaugh topped Ohio State, which had more pure talent in recruiting rankings.
Michigan seems weaker without Harbaugh, and Ohio State is the biggest beneficiary after three seasons as Big Ten No. 2. Moore may recruit better than Harbaugh.
Georgia
No one has benefited more from Saban and Harbaugh this month than Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Last year, college football fans wanted to speak about how the Alabama dynasty was gone, but the Tide halted Georgia’s winning run and were a play or two from beating Michigan and earning the national title.
At Georgia, Kirby Smart has only defeated Nick Saban once. That may change, but the SEC’s biggest opponent is retired. Michigan was working at an annual national crown. Moore may continue that train, but Moore and Ryan Day aren’t Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer, the last Northern school coaches to win national titles.
Alabama and Michigan may be strong. Even if Oregon is emerging, all the other large college football powers following Georgia and to a lesser extent Ohio State have huge question marks, which might lead to additional UGA crowns.
Oregon
Oregon is another club that can thrive on Michigan losing Jim Harbaugh in the Big Ten. Now that they are in the same conference, the Ducks and Wolverines should fight more for West Coast prospects.
It undermines the conference leader most. Moore is a potential head coach. Some dropoff is expected. No matter how you slice it, losing Jim Harbaugh, the finest college football head coach, is terrible.
Michigan may suffer transfer portal losses if Harbaugh leaves, and the Ducks, who were ready for a national title run, may also gain from his departure.
