Report: Jim Harbaugh won't address NFL future during College Football Playoff

While the rumors surrounding Jim Harbaugh and the NFL continued to swirl, his Michigan Wolverines secured a spot in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday. However, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Harbaugh likely won’t address any interest in potential openings until after next week’s game.

Over the weekend, Fowler reported the sense was Harbaugh would wait until after the CFP to make a decision on whether to pursue an NFL opportunity. After Michigan’s overtime victory over Alabama in Monday’s Rose Bowl, Fowler said that remains the case, and the wait will continue.

Fowler previously reported the Los Angeles Chargers have done some “preliminary work” on Harbaugh as they look to replace Brandon Staley. However, other teams could also go after Harbaugh should he chose to return to the league.

“Jim Harbaugh, this is a name that is buzzing in league circles as a potential head coaching candidate,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Asking around I do believe the Chargers have at least put out feelers, done some preliminary work on Harbaugh. So that could be an option for him too. Of course, Chicago, he’s got ties there if that job does open.”

Rumors of Harbaugh and the NFL have swirled the last couple offseasons. After the 2021 season, he interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings job that ultimately went to Kevin O’Connell. Then, following the 2022 campaign, he was rumored to be in consideration for the Denver Broncos opening before they hired Sean Payton.

Late Saturday night, though, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel reported Harbaugh hired agent Don Yee to represent him. Yee is an NFL agent who also represents Payton and Tom Brady.

Harbaugh has a close connection to the Chargers, playing for the organization from 1999-2000 as he wrapped up his career. He also got his first head coaching opportunity in their backyard when they were in San Diego, where he coached the FCS Toreros from 2004-06.

But when asked about playing for the Chargers organization and knowing the Spanos family, Harbaugh maintained his focus was on Monday’s Rose Bowl Game.

“It’s just a very one-track mind about this game,” Harbaugh said. “Right now, just kind of have fun with the family and the team and the players. We’re at the Happiest Place on Earth. We’re gonna enjoy ourselves and then get back to business, see if we can’t dominate the day. We’ve got some good meetings tonight. We’ll wake up tomorrow and practice and see if we can’t dominate that day.

“This is, like, straight out of the Jackie Harbaugh playbook. One day at a time, one play at a time. That’s how we’re approaching each day.”

Monday marked Harbaugh’s first victory in the CFP after losing in the semifinals the last two years. Now, he and the Wolverines will play for the national championship on Jan. 8 against the winner of the Sugar Bowl between Texas vs. Washington.