5 college coaches who could get NFL head coaching jobs
2. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Head Coach
Harbaugh and Michigan have seemed headed for a parting of ways, and just this past weekend Pro Football Talk reported he was eyeing a return to the NFL. Then on Monday, a report surfaced that Harbaugh and Michigan are discussing a contract extension. But there are a couple important caveats.
What we know so far, from solid sources:
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) December 8, 2020
UM AD Warde Manuel has discussed with Jim Harbaugh a new contract with lower base salary and buyout, though with good provisions to hire top assistants and large incentives for performance. (1/2)
According to best-selling author John U. Bacon, the new deal to keep Harbaugh in Ann Arbor would come with a lower base salary and a lower buyout. Bacon also reported five NFL teams have expressed interest in him, though it’s unclear if any have made firm offers at this point.
Harbaugh was 44-19-1 over four seasons (2011-2014) as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, with NFC Championship Game appearances in each of his first three seasons and one Super Bowl appearance. But personality conflicts sent things off the rails in his fourth season. An 8-8 record led to a parting, and Harbaugh landing as head coach at his alma mater.
The luster is well off of Harbaugh now, as his sixth season at Michigan nears an end with no big wins over chief rivals. His style is not for everyone, and the Jacksonville Jaguars can probably be scratched off the list of NFL teams with interest if former 49ers’ GM Trent Baalke retains a role in that front office.
But there’s no denying Harbaugh’s success in San Francisco. It’s possible be he rejects a contract extension from Michigan and makes a jump back to the NFL in one fair swoop.