As NFL rumors swirl, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is having a “one-track mind” ahead of Monday’s College Football Playoff, and he dodged inquiries this week about his relationship with the Los Angeles Chargers, who have an open coaching post. According to ESPN College GameDay analyst and former Michigan star Desmond Howard, based on what happened during the 2023 season — including Harbaugh’s late-season suspension imposed by the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti — this could be an opportunity for Harbaugh to clean his hands and start fresh in the NFL.
“For Michigan fans, first and foremost, they look at it as a distraction, some sort of recruiting distraction,” Howard told ESPN’s Pat McAfee on Thursday. “They look at as people trying to distract recruits to sign. But I have to be honest with you, at this point, if I’m Jim Harbaugh and that’s something you hear swirling around … if I was in (Harbaugh’s) shoes and the way my commissioner handled this situation, it would be an option to me. I’m at an age where you’re not just going to treat me anyway you want to treat because you think you can. Jim just had a birthday, I believe he just turned 61 years old.”
Howard said Michigan “knows their mission” and does not believe NFL murmurs are any distraction to the Wolverines ahead of the Rose Bowl.
Harbaugh, who has won three consecutive Big Ten titles, first touched on his career options earlier this season in November and described a previous conversation with his father about coaching as long as he can. After taking a photo with several fourth and fifth-year players at Michigan’s football awards banquet prior to leaving for Pasadena, Harbaugh made a quip that drew some of the loudest laughs and applause of the night, per Alejandro Zuniga.
“I’d just like to say that I hope some of you are coming back next year,” Harbaugh said, via The Michigan Insider.
NFL media is also skeptical of Harbaugh’s pro options despite his continued flirtations with the next level in recent years. The Michigan Insider reported earlier this season that sources expect Harbaugh to entertain NFL whispers once again, including a possible vacancy for the Chicago Bears, but some of those talks died down.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Harbaugh’s job in Ann Arbor isn’t yet finished and it would take two more wins this season before speculation commences again. He shares a similar sentiment to Howard.
