Jim Harbaugh joined the Michigan Wolverines after completing a four-year stint as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. During his nine-year tenure at Michigan, the program enjoyed several milestones, including three College Football Playoff appearances and, most notably, securing a national championship in 2023—their first in over two decades. While Harbaugh’s era brought unprecedented success to the program and added significant hardware to Michigan’s trophy case, it also left behind a legacy clouded by controversy.
Beneath the surface of that glittering success lies a series of scandals that continue to raise serious questions about the integrity of Michigan football during Harbaugh’s leadership. The sign-stealing controversy, the so-called “Burgergate” incident, and perhaps most damaging, the federal investigation into former offensive coordinator Matthew Weiss have all marred Harbaugh’s legacy. These incidents have sparked widespread scrutiny and continue to haunt the program, even under new head coach Sherrone Moore.
In a recent interview, Harbaugh addressed the allegations tied to Matthew Weiss, who was fired in 2023. With visible discomfort, Harbaugh reflected on learning about the situation after Michigan’s playoff loss to TCU. He expressed sympathy for the victims and Weiss’s family, stating, “It’s shocking, just really surprising. Didn’t see that one coming.” Harbaugh claimed he became aware of the accusations at the same time the public did and said he still struggles to fully understand the situation.
Weiss stands accused of hacking into databases of more than 100 universities, obtaining sensitive personal information, including private photos and videos of over 3,000 athletes, primarily women. He now faces 14 federal charges related to unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft, allegedly committed during his time as Michigan’s quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator between 2021 and 2023.
Public reaction to Harbaugh’s remarks has been mixed. Some critics, including sports talk show hosts, have condemned his perceived attempt to sidestep responsibility. One particularly scathing commentator labeled Harbaugh’s response as evasive and accused him of downplaying his oversight responsibilities as head coach.
Meanwhile, five separate lawsuits have been filed against both Michigan and Weiss, with one seeking more than $50 million in damages. Eleven female athletes, including soccer players, a gymnast, and a cheerleader, allege that Weiss accessed their private content and kept disturbing notes about their physical features and preferences.
Although Harbaugh has since moved on to a lucrative $80 million contract as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, the scandal continues to cast a shadow over his accomplishments in Ann Arbor. As the NCAA presses forward with its investigations and the lawsuits play out, the full extent of the damage to Harbaugh’s Michigan legacy remains uncertain.
