ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In a surprising turn of events, former Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has declined an invitation to serve as an honorary captain for the Wolverines' upcoming season opener against Fresno State. The decision comes just days after news broke of his one-year suspension for recruiting violations.

Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to a national championship during his nine-year tenure as head coach, expressed his reluctance to accept the invitation while still serving as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. He felt it would be inappropriate to take a "deeper bow" and leave his current position at such a critical time in the Chargers' season.

Newly appointed head coach Sherrone Moore shared that he received a phone call from Harbaugh on Monday night, conveying his decision not to participate in the honorary role. Moore emphasized that the decision to invite Harbaugh was made long before the suspension news surfaced and was not intended as a response to the NCAA's actions.

During his time at Michigan, Harbaugh transformed a struggling 5-7 roster into a formidable force in college football. Over his final three seasons, the Wolverines achieved an impressive record of 40-3, securing three consecutive Big Ten championships, victories over archrival Ohio State, and three playoff appearances.

The timing of the invitation sparked widespread attention and speculation. The announcement of Harbaugh's role as an honorary captain came immediately after news broke of his suspension for recruiting violations. However, Moore clarified that the decision to bring Harbaugh back was made with the intention of honoring his significant contributions to Michigan football.

As a result of Harbaugh's decision, his parents will take his place on the field during the Aug. 31 game against Fresno State. While fans may be disappointed that Harbaugh will not be present in an official capacity, they remain grateful for his impact on the program and look forward to cheering on his successor, Sherrone Moore, in his first game as head coach.