Jim Harbaugh opens up about his interest in the NFL, makes no apology

Jim Harbaugh isn’t sorry for exploring his options in the NFL this offseason. In 2013, the now Michigan coach was then the head man of the San Francisco 49ers, where he fell just short of a Super Bowl win against the Baltimore Ravens.

Two years later he left the league to become the head coach of his alma mater.

This offseason Harbaugh showed interest in returning to the NFL, even flying out to Minnesota to interview for the head coaching position with the Vikings. Ultimately he would return to Michigan, agreeing to a new five-year contract that runs through 2026.

In a recent appearance on the MGoBlue Podcast, Jim Harbaugh explained where his desire to get back to the NFL came from as well as his decision to return to Ann Arbor.

“For me it went back to February 3, 2013 when our team in San Francisco got within five yards — one play — of winning the Super Bowl,” the coach said. “Two years after that I left the 49ers to come to Michigan and sign a seven-year contract. The seven years were up and I wondered if that was the time — or if there would be a time — to go back and try to finish that. I don’t apologize for exploring it and I don’t apologize for wanting to come back and be the head coach at the University of Michigan. I guess there has been a lot of words used. ‘Tumultuous offseason’ or ‘weird offseason.’ If the word tumultuous means we’ve got a lot of momentum and we’re having a blast, then that’s what we’re having.”

Harbaugh entered 2021 on the hot seat but responded with his best season yet at Michigan. He led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten Championship since 2004 and their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. They lost to Georgia in the semifinals, but finished No. 3 in the final polls, their highest ranking since 1997.

The initial reports that Harbaugh was staying with the Wolverines program sent a shockwave through the Big Ten Conference two weeks ago. Sources indicated that the Vikings’ coaching vacancy was all but a done deal for the team and Harbaugh and that Michigan had already begun building a list of candidates to replace their coach.

But with Harbaugh now set to return, the Wolverines can focus on building on the success of this past season. Michigan loses Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson, but returns second-leading rusher Blake Corum and quarterback JJ McCarthy. Talented receiver Ronnie Bell is also set to come back after playing just one game this past season because of injury.

Harbaugh certainly set the bar high for his program, but his past success indicates he can come through. With him now fully committed to the program, they can work on getting even further in future seasons.

Michigan is set to open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 against the Colorado State Rams.