Adam Schefter explains how Jim Harbaugh, Broncos discussions fell through
Jim Harbaugh was a top candidate for the Denver Broncos job but he announced his return to Michigan, not the NFL. ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed how the discussions fell through.
Harbaugh and the Broncos actually met last week, according to Schefter. Despite Harbaugh putting it to bed earlier this month, the Broncos kept swinging.
Ultimately the meeting, which was in person, did not lead to a deal.
“They met with him again last week, again in Ann Arbor, on Monday,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “The facts are the facts: they met again and I think — no deal materialized and both sides went their own way. Okay, but they hadn’t met in person. They just did a virtual call the first time.
“And so they wanted to meet in person, see what it was about and for whatever reason, they decided not to get it done. And so, I think Denver’s shown that it’s willing to swing big. I think it will continue to try to swing big. Whoever that is, we’ll see what they’re gonna do, Pat.”
That timeline with the Broncos was interesting, considering Harbaugh and school president Santa Ono broke the news of Harbuagh’s return two weeks ago.
Instead of an NFL return to the Broncos, Harbaugh opted for Michigan.
“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” Ono tweeted. “That is fantastic news that I have communicated to our Athletic Director, Warde Manuel.”
Added Harbaugh in a statement released by Michigan football twitter: “I love the relationships that I have at Michigan — coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families. My heart is at the University fo Michigan. I once heard a wise man say, ‘don’t try to out-happy, happy.’ Go Blue!”
Last year, Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings but the two sides could not come to an agreement and mutually decided it was better for the coach to return to Ann Arbor and the Vikings ultimately landed on Kevin O’Connell last year.
Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14. In those four seasons, Harbaugh went 44-19-1 and made the playoffs three times. In his second season with the 49ers, Harbaugh took them to the Super Bowl where they would come up just shy of the win against the Baltimore Ravens.
Now through eight seasons at Michigan, Harbaugh is 74-25 with two Big Ten titles and two playoff appearances, but is 1-6 in bowl games.