Jim Harbaugh no longer serving as honorary captain at Michigan's season opener

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is starting to distance himself from the program.

Harbaugh, who guided his alma mater to a national championship in 2023, was scheduled to be an honorary captain for the Wolverines' season opener against Fresno State on Aug. 31. On Tuesday, Harbaugh's replacement, Sherrone Moore, said he had changed his mind, via The Athletic's Austin Meek.

The NCAA recently gave Harbaugh a four-year show-cause order for impermissible contact with players and recruits during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it appears his decision doesn't tie to this penalty. Meek noted that Moore said Harbaugh wants to spend more time with his new team, the Los Angeles Chargers.

Harbaugh and company have their work cut out after a sloppy preseason debut. In a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, the Chargers gained 198 yards on 53 plays and went 2-for-13 on third down.

"There's work to be done. A lot of work to be done," Harbaugh said in a postgame news conference. "Now we've begun, which is a positive. Offensively, there were some good things, but not enough."

Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbert is still wearing a walking boot on his right foot due to a plantar fascia injury. He's expected to return before the start of the regular season on Sept. 8.

Herbert can't solve all of the offense's problems alone. Harbaugh and his staff also share some of the responsibility.

Celebrating past accomplishments probably won't help Harbaugh. Staying in Los Angeles should give him more time to rewire the team's stagnant offense and address other issues.