Will Jim Harbaugh leave the Michigan Wolverines this offseason? The annual question has returned for another spin around the rumor mill, and the recent NCAA investigations into Michigan, either for sign-stealing or for recruiting violations, haven’t helped quiet things down.
For now, Harbaugh is Michigan’s head football coach, where the Wolverines are set to battle Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. If Michigan wins, Harbaugh’s off to coach in the College Football Championship for the first time in his career.
If Harbaugh loses, then what? At this point, no one seems to know. Then, what if Harbaugh wins it all? What will he have left to coach for at Michigan?
Of course, the possibility of chasing a Super Bowl ring could tempt Harbaugh again. Right now, there are three known NFL head coaching vacancies, with Carolina, Las Vegas, and the Chargers all searching for a long-term solution. More will be on the way, possibly including his old team in Chicago.
Harbaugh has proven he can coach at a high level in the NFL, helping the San Francisco 49ers reach the Super Bowl. Now, he’s shown he can rebuild college football programs too. Surely, several NFL owners will be willing to hand Harbaugh the going rate for NFL head coaches today. Yet, some believe he can essentially ask for a blank check.
According to one NFL executive who spoke with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, “Harbaugh can probably ask for whatever he wants.”
Meanwhile, other execs who were willing to speak to Howe stressed the importance of finding the right GM fit, highlighting how Harbaugh “isn’t the most popular figure among NFL front offices.”
With his brash style, it’s possible Harbaugh has a tough time finding the right fit, yet if an owner or a GM is sold on his leadership ability, we could see him return to the NFL in the near future.
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