Michigan reportedly expects Jim Harbaugh to leave Wolverines for NFL
By John Buhler
The Michigan football program is anticipating Jim Harbaugh will be leaving for the NFL.
After seven years leading his alma mater, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to leave Ann Arbor behind for a head-coaching opportunity in the NFL.
A lot has changed in the last week. While it looked like Harbaugh would be staying this time a week ago, it seems as though members of the Michigan program are totally anticipating him bolting for an NFL job. Harbaugh has been linked most notably to the head-coaching vacancies within the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins organizations. He is interviewing in Minnesota.
Harbaugh had worked previously with new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in the San Francisco 49ers organization. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a noted Michigan alum and booster.
People in the Michigan program who were making plans last week based on their strong belief that Harbaugh was staying are now changing their plans with the belief he will accept an NFL job soon. #GoBlue
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) February 1, 2022
Michigan football programs expects Jim Harbaugh will bolt for an NFL job
While it would be odd for Harbaugh to leave Michigan after the team had its best year in decades, he is who he is. Harbaugh never stays anywhere for very long. Prior to his seven years in Ann Arbor, he had never been anywhere longer than four years in any of his previous coaching stops. Though Michigan could be left holding the bag, they will have many candidates to consider.
If the Wolverines were to go with a promotion from within, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis would make sense. They could also see if they can poach top candidates out of the Power in Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien or Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. There is also a chance Matt Rhule could leave the Carolina Panthers.
The coaching carousel looks be the taking another turn, so Michigan better be ready to hop on.
Next. Best college football players of all time from every state. dark
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.