Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s flirtations with the NFL are a staple of the college football news cycle during the offseason. Now that the sports calendar turns to the 2024 season after Michigan’s With a 34-13 win over Washington in Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship, those discussions are sure to heat up again.
In fact, they have already started. Several teams have made calls in recent weeks to gather information on Harbaugh, according to NFL.com, which has been updating potential personnel lists while evaluating different openings.
It’s no surprise that professional teams covet Harbaugh’s services. He gradually rebuilt Michigan into a powerhouse program with a 40-3 record over the past three years. The Wolverines haven’t lost a regular season game since 2021, working their way to three straight Big Ten titles while qualifying for each of the last three College Football Playoffs.
He’s already a proven winner at the NFL level, setting himself apart from other college football coaches who might want to test the professional waters and even most NFL assistants who might take a look. As coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Harbaugh compiled a 44-19 record with two NFC West titles and an appearance in Super Bowl 47.
But after leading Michigan to the top of the mountain for the first time since the BCS era began, would Harbaugh really leave now? Here’s a look at the key factors at play in a pending decision.
A contract extension on the table
Michigan is already working hard to retain Harbaugh’s services. THE the university would have presented Harbaugh with a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid coach in sports, promising a $125 million salary spread over 10 years. That would surpass Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s $115 million, 10-year contract as the largest in college football history.
“It’s a decision for him,” Michigan president Santa Ono said before Monday’s national title game. by The Detroit News. “As you know, we have made it very clear that we want him to stay and I really hope so.”
It would also increase Harbaugh’s salary by nearly $5 million per year (he earned $7.6 million for his services in 2023). But there’s a catch: The new deal would prevent him from taking a coaching job in the NFL for the 2024 season.
The fact that Harbaugh hasn’t jumped at such a lucrative proposition seems to be a clear indication that he is, at the very least, keeping his options open. But there is more than that. Despite the program’s recent success, this is a pivotal offseason for Michigan football.
The Wolverines could lose a lot of crucial contributors. Possibilities include top receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson (ineligible), running back Blake Corum, who holds program records for rushing touchdowns in a season and in a career, five players offensive lineman with starting experience and multiple starters on defense. Quarterback JJ McCarthy is considered a legitimate NFL prospect and could declare early for the NFL Draft.
Even with the advent of the transfer portal and Michigan’s recent track record of excellent player development, that represents a mountain of production to replace. Harbaugh knows his coaching stock could take a hit if Michigan takes a step back next season.
On top of all that, Harbaugh and Michigan are in the crosshairs of the NCAA due to various off-field scandals that have hung over the program throughout 2023. Harbaugh has been suspended twice during the regular season, causing him to miss a total of six games. . In December, Michigan received notice of allegations related to illegal recruiting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA is also investigating Michigan for an alleged sign-stealing operation orchestrated by former recruiter Connor Stalions. Any punitive measures imposed by the NCAA wouldn’t follow Harbaugh to the NFL, but they could seriously hamper his ability to perform at Michigan.
An interesting agent rental
ESPN reported on Dec. 31 that Harbaugh had hired agent Don Yee, who spent his career representing notable NFL names. His client list includes Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
And…Tom Brady.
Brady and Yee’s partnership began when Brady was a senior at Michigan. Brady retained Yee’s services throughout his legendary 20-year NFL career. Now a deal is on the table for Brady to become a minority owner of the Raiders, who fired coach Josh McDaniels in October and are in the process of finding a replacement. There was some traction between Harbaugh — whose coaching career began as an assistant with the Raiders from 2002-03 — and Las Vegas in 2022 before the Raiders opted to go with McDaniels.
Is there a good fit?
Harbaugh has a head start on most other candidates. The NFL recently sent a updated anti-tampering policy for hiring head coaches. Among other changes, it prohibits in-person interviews with coaches employed by an NFL team unless specifically authorized by that team. Harbaugh is free to talk to anyone he wants without restriction now that Michigan’s 2023 season is over.
Las Vegas, given its ties to Harbaugh, could have conversations with the Michigan coach, NFL.com reports. But that’s not all. Harbaugh’s name has also been linked to that of the Los Angeles Chargers since they decided to move on from Brandon Staley in mid-December.
A return to the West Coast could make a lot of sense. Harbaugh was a quarterback for the Chargers, then based in San Diego, from 1999 to 2000 and returned to the area in 2004 at the University of San Diego. He was hired at Stanford in 2007 and joined the 49ers in 2011. Including his time with the former Oakland Raiders, Harbaugh spent the first 13 years of his coaching career at Cal State. Although he moved frequently as a child, following his father Jack, throughout his own coaching career, Harbaugh was playing quarterback at Palo Alto High School in California when he committed to Michigan in 1981.