John Harbaugh heaps praise on brother Jim Harbaugh: 'Best team builder in football right now'

The entire NFL community remains on Jim Harbaugh watch, as the Michigan head coach continues to mull over returning to the Wolverines or making a jump back into professional football in 2024.

The 60-year-old Harbaugh, fresh off leading Michigan to its first national title since 1997, interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coaching vacancy Monday. What, if anything, comes from that remains to be seen, but many are convinced that Harbaugh could be the man to turn around any franchise searching for a new head coach.

That would include his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who recently discussed the possibility of his sibling getting back into the NFL during an appearance on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.”

Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh on his brother Jim: “He may be the best team builder in football right now. Nobody builds a team better. He knows how to put it together, top to bottom.”

🎧 https://t.co/RCrdSHuSNl pic.twitter.com/HoL8MZP1VV

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2024

“He may be the best team builder in football right now,” John Harbaugh said. “Nobody builds a team better. He knows how to put it together, top to bottom. He knows how to include people. Knows how to make them part of it. He knows how to empower people.”

Jim Harbaugh still contemplating coaching future

Jim Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014 with the San Francisco 49ers. He spent four seasons in San Francisco (2011-14), going 44-19 with a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. Harbaugh is the fifth-winningest head coach in NFL history by win percentage, trailing only Guy Chamberlain, John Madden, Vince Lombardi and George Allen.

All Harbaugh has done at the collegiate level is win, as he went 29-6 at San Diego State (2004-06) and 29-21 at Stanford (2007-10). From 2015-current, he’s gone 86-25 including a perfect 15-0 season in 2023.

Michigan won’t let Harbaugh leave without a fight. President Santa Ono revealed this past week he is desperately trying to sign him to a new long-term contract.

“I believe he has [made it better], and he’s a Michigan Wolverine through and through,” Ono said, via The Wolverine. “He was a quarterback here, as you know. He learned from Bo Schembechler … didn’t play for the first couple years, broke his arm. But the most important thing for me is him as a human being. He’s guided by Lord Jesus Christ.

“He’s going to think about what he wants to do with his life. I respect that, support him, love his family. I hope he stays. I’m going to do everything I can to encourage him to stay. But if he doesn’t, the Michigan tradition will move on.”