Ohio State Football fans should rejoice Jim Harbaugh is back

After some flirtation with the NFL, Jim Harbaugh will be returning to coach TTUN. Ohio State football fans everywhere should rejoice that Harbaugh is back. Even though Harbaugh’s team beat the Buckeyes last season for the first time, Ohio State is better off with him there.

That’s because Harbaugh has proven that he can only build a very good program in Ann Arbor. He can’t build an elite one. This was the first time that TTUN has won the Big Ten in 15 years. An elite program doesn’t go that long without winning its conference.

Ryan Day also has addressed the problem that led to them losing to TTUN. He revamped the entire defensive staff. This new staff should give the defense a new mindset. Jim Knowles has already talked about instituting that mindset as well as his new system will be critical.

Harbaugh returning is also good for the Ohio State football program when it comes to recruiting. Harbaugh claims that this won’t be a long-term issue and that he’s committed to Michigan, but is he really? A coach that is really committed to a school doesn’t go for two interviews elsewhere.

Day can use that to his advantage when it comes to trying to close elite recruits. Why would recruits want to go somewhere that the coach isn’t committed to 100%? Day reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State in an interview with the Big Ten Network as well.

This also gives Ohio State a chance at revenge next season in the Shoe. It would have left a bad taste in their mouth if they hadn’t gotten another chance to beat Harbaugh. They’ve beaten him five times already, so it’s not a stretch to say having home-field advantage will give them the edge.

Having Harbaugh back is better for the rivalry too. It gives The Game more intrigue as well. These two teams don’t like each other and these two coaches don’t care for each other either. It’s good to keep that hate going.

I already can’t wait for next year’s version of The Game.