ITF EXTRA: Latest on Jim Harbaugh and the Raiders, 'Black Monday' talk
The Las Vegas Raiders won last night and clinched a playoff spot. What does that mean for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan Wolverines football? And what of the Miami Dolphins opening?
Here’s the latest on the latest drama in Ann Arbor …
We first reported weeks ago the Raiders were prepared to back up the truck for Harbaugh. As we said on this board Saturday night, we felt better about Harbaugh staying at Michigan than we had in days.
Folks close to it still expect Harbaugh to stay, but it’s very clear. Until the Michigan coach signs (and he hasn’t), the NFL is very much in play.
Keep in mind, several NFL sites believe Jim Harbaugh is Raiders’ owner Mark Davis’ golden goose, no matter what happens.
“Four years ago, the worst-kept secret in the NFL was that the Raiders will hire Jon Gruden to be the team’s head coach. In the upcoming interview/hiring cycle, the worst-kept secret in the NFL could become that the Raiders will hire Jim Harbaugh as the permanent replacement for Gruden,” ProFootballTalk reported.
“For now, buzz is building in league circles that team owner Mark Davis wants, and will get, the former San Francisco 49ers and current Michigan coach. The man who took a 6-10 team to the NFC Championship in his first year and who nearly won a Super Bowl in his second. The man who went 44-19-1 in four seasons as an NFL head coach.”
Michigan, of course, is prepared to do what it can to keep Jim Harbaugh. There are no guarantees, however. This could well be Harbaugh’s last real shot to return to what many consider the pinnacle. He’s won a Big Ten title and beaten Ohio State — he’d probably still love to win a Super Bowl.
It’s clear, though, that Jim Harbaugh loves Michigan, too.
Here’s the very latest we’ve picked up:
The latest: Jim Harbaugh and the Raiders, Black Monday and more
