Jim Harbaugh‘s NFL market looked to be heating up this week. The Broncos want to interview him, and Panthers owner David Tepper has already spoken with him about the position. The Colts, the team Harbaugh led to the 1995 AFC Championship Game as a quarterback, are also on the radar.
The Michigan coach said in December he planned to stay in Ann Arbor. Following the run of Harbaugh-to-NFL rumors, the eight-year Wolverines HC attempted to double down.
“I am aware of the rumors and speculation over the past few days. College and NFL teams have great interest in all our personnel, from players to coaches to staff,” Harbaugh said. “… As I stated in December, no one knows what the future holds. I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023.”
Harbaugh landing on NFL radars and then deciding to stay at his alma mater has become a recent offseason tradition, though his return to the league has gained steam over the past two years. The former 49ers HC interviewed for the Vikings’ HC job but was not offered the position. Teams are under the impression Harbaugh can be lured back to the pros this year. The Broncos and Panthers seem to be under that impression. Denver is believed to view Harbaugh as its 1-A candidate early in the process.
Thursday’s statement obviously gives the longtime Michigan leader some wiggle room, and Harbaugh going from this proclamation to an NFL job would certainly not be the first time a coach has changed his mind and/or offered misleading comments about his intentions. It does not seem like this comment will force interested NFL teams to back down.
Harbaugh has said in the past he has unfinished business in the NFL. Approaching 60, time is running out for a return to the league. Not many coaches have been hired north of 60 in NFL history. The fiery HC ranks sixth in NFL history for win percentage (.695), going to three NFC Championship Games in four seasons in San Francisco. A falling out with the 49ers led Harbaugh to Michigan, where he has elevated the program. The Wolverines went 5-7 in 2014; they have won at least 10 games five times under Harbaugh and have made the past two College Football Playoff fields.
