Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has been fielding interest and interview requests from NFL teams since winning the national championship. Fresh off taking Michigan to the top of the college football world, the Wolverines’ athletic department is in a fight to keep its head coach.
Harbaugh has been one of the top head-coaching candidates for NFL teams in the last three years. He interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and Denver Broncos in 2023, each time turning the interest into contract extensions at Michigan.
- Jim Harbaugh coaching record: 118-46 in college, 89-25 with the Michigan Wolverines
Related: Jim Harbaugh’s contract demands for Michigan Wolverines
Already one of the highest-paid college football coaches, the leader of Michigan’s football program is again entertaining interest from NFL teams. With clubs willing to offer him anywhere from $15 to $20 million per season, the University of Michigan has been pulled into a bidding war. Despite their confidence in retaining Harbaugh, it seems everyone outside of Ann Arbor is betting against Michigan.
Appearing on the latest Yahoo Sports’ Inside Coverage podcast, NFL insiders Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein shared insight into Harbaugh’s situation. Specifically, Robinson shared his informed belief that the odds of Harbaugh returning to the Wolverines in 2024 are hovering around 25 percent.
“Low percentage chance, 25 percent chance that he returns to Michigan, 75 percent chance that he goes to the NFL.”
Charles Robinson on the likelihood of Jim Harbaugh staying with the Michigan Wolverines
Not only is an NFL return viewed as increasingly likely for Harbaugh, but many around the league already believe it’s essentially a “done deal” that Harbaugh has already chosen which team he’ll be coaching.
Related: Michigan Wolverines AD addresses Jim Harbaugh rumors
Yeah, I’ve definitely had people in the league tell me that Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers is is basically a done deal…I do think that Harbaugh to the Chargers feels more likely than not. Not 100 percent, but over 50 for him.”
Jori Epstein on NFL rumors regarding Jim Herbaugh
The Los Angeles Chargers have already interviewed Harbaugh and satisfied the Rooney Rule with two in-person interviews of minority candidates. One important aspect worth noting regarding the Chargers coaching search, that interviewee David Shaw was on Harbaugh’s coaching staff for years at Stanford and could reunite with him as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator.
