Jim Harbaugh is coming off a reasonably decent campaign with Michigan this past season, but that hasn’t stopped him from seeking out new opportunities in the NFL.
Almost as soon as the Wolverines’ season was unceremoniously ended by TCU, rumors began floating around about Harbaugh’s next chapter.
There were three NFL teams who were dubbed legitimate candidates for his services, and one was viewed as the consensus favorite.
As it turns out, it appears as though Harbaugh himself is aggressively attempting to scout out new pro opportunities.
According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers have no interest in making Harbaugh their next head coach.
“Carolina isn’t pursuing Harbaugh,” he said definitively.
Why is this notable? Because earlier this month there was a bunch of chatter regarding Panthers team owner David Tepper and Harbaugh chatting.
The only problem is, Tepper apparently didn’t initiate that conversation – Harbaugh did.
“Sources tell CBS Sports that Harbaugh — or his representation — had been calling Tepper with some regularity in recent weeks,” Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported.
“Tepper eventually held a conversation with Harbaugh, but it was never characterized as a job interview for the permanent head coaching job in Carolina.”
So this is where everyone is at? Harbaugh (or his reps) are actively calling NFL scouts and begging for a pro gig? Yikes. This reeks of what happened last season, when he clearly wanted to leave Michigan for the Minnesota Vikings only to then not get the job.
Much has been made about the “real reason” Harbaugh wants to ditch the Wolverines, but the way he is doing it is pretty odd. Michigan isn’t that bad. Yes, the team humiliated itself against TCU both on and off the field (thanks, J.J. McCarthy’s dad).
But there is also a fair case to be made that they were robbed in that game. And if the refs had called that outing appropriately, maybe the Wolverines could have had the honor of getting trounced by Georgia in the National Championship Game.
Is being at the helm of a Michigan program that is currently reigning atop the Big Ten really so bad that Harbaugh needs to be calling around and begging NFL owners for a shot?
This week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggested Harbaugh would remain in Ann Arbor for a big payday.
From @GMFB: Breaking down the news in the coaching world, with the #Texans firing Lovie Smith and the #Broncos swinging big with Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/mZfIStA3tT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2023
“Michigan could make this all go away if they give him a big money extension,” Rapoport said.
Will they want to, though?
The photo speaks for itself. Not a great start for the Giants. https://t.co/9aYmioGgoi
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 10, 2023
Is this annual Harbaugh Possible Exit Tour really the way Michigan’s AD wants to spend his football offseasons?
Harbaugh clearly wants to leave for the NFL.
At this point, Michigan should just call his bluff let him walk.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
