With momentum on his side with fans, Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce still appears to be the front-runner to secure the permanent role after the end of the 2023 season. But one NFL insider says if Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is interested in the Raiders job, it might be a good fit for him and the team.
With news that Harbaugh has retained agent Don Yee to represent him in a possible jump back to the NFL, former Raiders front office executive and Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi says Harbaugh could land back with the Raiders if Pierce doesn’t get the job.
Jim Harbaugh has a history with the Las Vegas Raiders
“I think the Raiders situation is interesting,” Lombardi said on his The GM Shuffle podcast on Monday. “Jim Harbaugh hiring Don Yee is really interesting. But when he made that move, Yee represents Brady, (Raiders QB Jimmy) Garoppolo and he’s kinda got a connection inside that building.”
Harbaugh, who started his coaching career in 2002 with the Oakland Raiders, is said to be exploring a move back to the NFL after being suspended twice this season for recruiting infractions and alleged cheating at Michigan. He also served as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, where he won Coach of the Year in his first season. Harbaugh won the NFC Championship in 2012 and went to the NFC Championship game in 2013.
“Knowing Harbaugh, as nostalgic as he is, you know, he started his pro coaching career at the Raiders. He’s got a great sense of history with Madden and all that,” Lombardi said. “If they’re not going to hire Pierce, I can see them having a conversation with Harbaugh.”
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Raiders GM decision could factor into Jim Harbaugh’s decision
Although there has been no official link between Harbaugh and the Raiders, he is again the hottest name among veteran coaches for several open spots, including the Los Angeles Chargers and others.
“He’s going to turn around any team he gets to,” Lombardi added. “The question is: who are they sticking him with? Are they going to keep the current general manager (Champ Kelly) in place, that becomes an interesting call.”
Lombardi said he believes Harbaugh will try to avoid his situation in San Francisco, where he had little control over his roster and often tangled with then-49ers general manager Trent Baalke.
The Raiders host the Denver Broncos in their 2023 season finale in Las Vegas with a locker room behind Pierce and a fanbase who supports the coach based on his performance since stepping in for the fired Josh McDaniels on November 1, 2023.
