WATCH: Dolphins owner Stephen Ross addresses Jim Harbaugh speculation

On3 imageby:Nikki Chavanelle01/10/22

NikkiChavanelle

With speculation swirling about where Jim Harbaugh might be looking to coach at the NFL level, one NFL owner is already shutting down rumors.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he won’t be the one to pull Harbaugh away from Michigan, which just happens to be his alma mater.

“I love Jim Harbaugh,” Ross said. “He’s had the opportunity to come to the Miami Dolphins before. He’s at the University of Michigan, that is the school I graduated from and I’m very involved in it. I’m not going to be the person that takes Jim Harbaugh from the University of Michigan. I hope he stays there, he’s a great coach.”

Jim Harbaugh just wrapped up his seventh year at Michigan after taking over at his alma mater in 2015. In 14 seasons at the collegiate level, he has a 119-51 record, including a 61-24 mark with Michigan.

The Wolverines went 12-1 this year before losing to No. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl last week.

Brian Flores’ ouster ‘entirely independent’ of Harbaugh

In what was a surprising move on Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins decided to fire head coach Brian Flores after three seasons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news.

The ousting brings speculation surrounding Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and his potential interest in Miami.

However, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington shared that his sources say the Dolphins’ decision to move on from Brian Flores is “entirely independent” of anything to do with Jim Harbaugh. This corroborates Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’s message on Monday.

“While I realize many are assuming Flores’ departure is tied to Harbaugh’s potential availability, I can assure you that is not the case,” Darlington tweeted. “The Dolphins are not targeting Jim Harbaugh, per sources. The decision to fire Flores is entirely independent.

“The decision to fire Flores can be summed up with one word: Relationships,” Darlington added. “His relationship with Grier and Tua had deteriorated to a pretty bad place. Along with constant staff changes, owner Steve Ross no longer saw Flores as a healthy fit in Miami.

The two jobs that speculators have most connected to Harbaugh and a potential move the NFL are in Chicago and Las Vegas.