Where is Jim Harbaugh? Explaining Chargers coach's about-face as honorary Michigan captain

It's a new era in Ann Arbor.

Michigan is entering the 2024 NCAA football season on a high note. The Wolverines are fresh off winning the 2023 national championship after defeating Washington in the title contest.

While the team lost a number of stars, including QB J.J. McCarthy, WR Roman Wilson, RB Blake Corum, DT Kris Jenkins and CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan figures to be in contention to win the Big Ten again this year. With the expanded playoffs, it also gives the Wolverines a shot at defending their title.

However, arguably the biggest loss for the program comes on the coaching staff. After bringing Michigan its first national championship in the College Football Playoff era, Jim Harbaugh left the program for his second stint in the NFL. The Chargers hired him to fill the vacancy left after the team fired Brandon Staley in the middle of last season.

The 2024 season begins Saturday for the maize and blue, as Michigan welcomes Fresno State to the Big House for its home opener. Harbaugh was initially touted to be the team's honorary captain before the game, however that no longer is happening. The former head coach will not be in Ann Arbor for his former program's season opener.

MORE: Who is Michigan's new head coach?

Here is more on why Harbaugh will not be Michigan's honorary captain for its home opener.

Why is Jim Harbaugh not Michigan's honorary captain?

Harbaugh was originally slated to be Michigan's honorary captain for the team's home opener for 2024, taking place Saturday, Aug. 31 against Fresno State.

However, that no longer will be the case.

Harbaugh was invited to return to Michigan Stadium, but ended up declining the offer to focus on the upcoming NFL season. Moore said Harbaugh called to inform him of his decision, stating that the former Wolverines head coach did not want to be a "distraction" as Michigan's 2024 squad begins a new campaign.

The Chargers begin the 2024 NFL regular season the following weekend, with a season opener against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 8 in Los Angeles.

Instead of the current Chargers head coach, Harbaugh's parents, Jack and Jackie, will stand in for their son at the Aug. 31 opener as the honorary captains. Jack was a Michigan assistant from 1973 to 1979, working underneath Bo Schembechler. He later served as head coach at Western Michigan and Western Kentucky.

While Harbaugh's reasoning for missing the home opener is solid, it also comes while he remains in the center of controversy at Michigan. He was accused of recruiting violations in 2020 , and the NCAA came down this summer with the news that Harbaugh would be suspended for one season if he returned to the NCAA. He was also handed a four-year, show-cause order for "impermissible contact with recruits and players."