Report: Latest update on Jim Harbaugh situation at Michigan
As NFL teams start looking for new coaches, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is among the big names in the rumor mill. Monday, we got an update on where things stand.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner reported Harbaugh and Michigan are working on a new contract, and talks are progressing. He also said “a new … competitive offer-package has been made.”
“Michigan, as I understand it, welcomes [Harbaugh] at UM,” Baumgardner tweeted. “But some at [Michigan] wonder if he’s torn about NFL.
“He’s been working, as you’ve all seen. Harbaugh has parties working with Michigan on his behalf RE: a deal … I’ve heard almost nothing to suggest Michigan hasn’t met what he wants (the opposite in fact). Question remains: where’s he want to be?”
If Harbaugh decides to jump back to the NFL, two teams have come up as potential landing spots. One is the Las Vegas Raiders, who saw their season come to an end against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend. The Raiders gave Harbaugh his first coaching job in 2002 as their quarterbacks coach.
Jon Gruden resigned as Raiders coach mid-year and Rich Bisaccia took over in the interim, leading Las Vegas to the NFL playoffs. It’s unclear if the Raiders are planning to bring Bisaccia back next season or not.
The Chicago Bears have also come up as a potential landing spot for Harbaugh. The Bears, who fired Matt Nagy last week, drafted Harbaugh in the 1987 draft and he played in Chicago until 1993.
Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14 and led them to Super Bowl XLVII in 2012. He totaled a 44-19-1 record in his time in San Francisco before returning to his alma mater.
Bruce Feldman discusses latest on possibility of Jim Harbaugh leaving for NFL
The rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh and a return to the NFL are swirling. With huge coaching opportunities like the Chicago Bears and New York Giants open, it’s been theorized that the Michigan coach could be looking to leave the Wolverines.
Moreover, the Las Vegas Raiders have also been linked to Harbaugh if they move on from interim coach Rich Bisaccia. With the questions out there, FOX’s Bruce Feldman joined The Paul Finebaum Show to discuss the latest on the possibility of Harbaugh leaving for the NFL.
“This is the longest Jim Harbaugh has ever coached anywhere,” Feldman said. “He’s was always a four and out guy — he’s been there now seven years. I’ve always heard he wants to go back to the NFL at some point.
“He’s 58 — just whipped Ohio State and won the Big Ten for the first time in like 20 years for Michigan. On that point, I’m not surprised that people around him think he’s seriously considering leaving. It’s just a matter of what does he think is the best fit for him going forward. Can he get the Raiders? Is the Bears something he would really want to go back to? I don’t know. But at least both of those places have quarterbacks that I could see him wanting to work with.”