University of Michigan president Santa J. Ono has addressed reports and rumors claiming football head coach Jim Harbaugh could leave the school and return to the NFL.
“Pleased to share that I have been having very positive and constructive conversations with our Athletic Director and Football Coach,” Ono tweeted . “Warde Manuel and I both want to see Jim Harbaugh stay as the head football coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines.”
Harbaugh responded to this message via a brief statement:
After the Wolverines fell to the TCU Horned Frogs in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff, Harbaugh indicated he would remain at Michigan through the winter months but was also sure to note that nobody knows what the future holds:
That, however, was before it was reported the 59-year-old had a virtual interview with the Denver Broncos on Monday.
As for the Broncos, it’s believed they are currently focused on attempting to land former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton, who may want to select his own general manager with the Broncos or any other club, is set to have an in-person interview with Denver this coming Tuesday.
Harbaugh may also be interested in taking over as Indianapolis Colts head coach, in part because he played for that franchise during the 1990s. Ian Wharton of Pro Football Network mentioned on Wednesday that the Colts haven’t yet scheduled an interview with Harbaugh, and it’s unclear if they will reach out to him.
Harbaugh’s Michigan contract runs through 2026 but makes it relatively easy for him to leave at any time thanks to inexpensive buyout clauses. It was reported earlier on Thursday that Michigan may hesitate to offer him a pay raise due to an NCAA investigation regarding alleged violations during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period that could result in a suspension. Perhaps Ono’s update shows the university isn’t too concerned about that probe.
