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Less than 48 hours after his Michigan Wolverines took an upset loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals, head coach Jim Harbaugh was already at the center of NFL coaching rumors.
A number of sources from The Athletic reported that Harbaugh would likely return to the NFL if given the opportunity.
“I think it is a done deal if he gets an offer.” Jim Harbaugh's led Michigan to consecutive B1G titles, but also been great as an NFL coach. If an NFL team wants him, will he leave Michigan? Reporting w/ @NicoleAuerbach @byAustinMeek on Harbaugh/NFL 2.0: https://t.co/q4VrLN7OLu
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 2, 2023
Harbaugh, of course, spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014. He was immensely successful, going 44-19-1 in those seasons and 5-3 in the playoffs. He reached the Super Bowl in the 2012 season before losing to his brother John and the Baltimore Ravens, 34-31.
Since rejoining the Wolverines, he’s been up and down. After a strong first five seasons, he went 2-4 in the COVID-affected 2020 season. That and the lack of success against rivals Ohio State led to him taking a pay cut. But in the two years since, the Wolverines have gone 25-3 with two Big Ten championships and their first two College Football Playoff berths.
After last year’s semifinal loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, Harbaugh interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching job. But the Vikes ultimately opted to promote assistant Kevin O’Connell.
He’s since said that he had no interest in making an NFL return.
This time around, many assumed that if Harbaugh is bound for the NFL it will be with the Indianapolis Colts, for whom he played four seasons from 1994-1997 and made the 1995 Pro Bowl.
But another team has since emerged at the forefront of the race for the polarizing head coach.
Carolina Panthers Have Already Spoken With Jim Harbaugh About Head Coaching Vacancy
Will Kunkel of Queen City News introduced a new contender in the race on Tuesday: the Carolina Panthers.
#BREAKING NEWS: Carolina @Panthers owner David Tepper has had a conversation with Jim Harbaugh about the team’s head coaching vacancy, sources confirm. #NFL #Panthers https://t.co/NQK3aS5tQu
— Charlotte Sports Live (@CSLonQCN) January 3, 2023
Carolina, of course, parted ways with head coach Matt Rhule after 2.5 difficult seasons at the helm. Rhule was since named the new head coach of Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has had a conversation with Jim Harbaugh about the team’s head coaching vacancy, sources confirmed to Charlotte Sports Live.
Sources said the talk between the two was not a job interview, only a conversation about the position. – via Queen City News
Kunkel also reported that Harbaugh has “sincere interest” in the job and likes the Panthers roster.
It appears that the big-name head coach will have no shortage of options should a return to the pros be on the table in 2023.