If Jim Harbaugh wasn’t serious about a move back to the NFL, he is now.
The Michigan head coach, who has yet to publicly discuss any interest in NFL openings, has reportedly hired agent Don Yee, who is well connected with the NFL.
Yee is best known as Tom Brady’s longtime agent, but he also represents Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
If, as expected, Jim Harbaugh decides to interview for NFL jobs after Michigan’s run in the College Football Playoff is over, Yee will be a huge asset to have at the negotiating table.
Given his previous NFL experience, Harbaugh could land an NFL team that exceeds even Belichick. One executive reportedly said Jim Harbaugh could “ask for whatever he wants.”
Payton, who’s in his first year in Denver, makes $18 million per season, making him the second highest-paid NFL head coach behind New England’s Bill Belichick at $20 million.
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Jim Harbaugh will be a popular NFL head coaching candidate
Jim Harbaugh, who has coached Michigan for the past nine seasons, previously served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to three NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance over four seasons.
He will likely be the top candidate for just about any available NFL opening, which includes the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Carolina Panthers, with other openings expected once the NFL regular season ends next Sunday.
It’s worth noting, however, that Yee currently has a partnership with the Chargers to create opportunities for leaders from the Asian-American Pacific Islander community.
The only achievement that has eluded Harbaugh at Michigan is a national championship. Harbaugh’s Wolverines, ranked No. 1 in the nation, plays No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
If Michigan wins, the Wolverines will play the winner of the Sugar Bowl — either No. 2 Washington or No. 3 Texas — in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 8 in Houston.
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