Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh has now interviewed with at least two NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers. While it seems that Harbaugh’s desire to chase a Lombardi Trophy is still alive and well, there are folks in Ann Arbor that are presumably doing everything they can to ensure Harbaugh remains at Michigan for the foreseeable future.
As the uncertainty continues, Harbaugh shed a bit of light on his current state of mind during his appearance at a ‘March for Life’ event as he continues to explore all available opportunities in front of him – particularly as it relates to the NFL.
“I just take the council from God and the holy spirit, and Mr. Jack Harbaugh, my dad, and my wife Sarah. Just taking the advice and living one day at a time. One day at a time, one game at a time, one play at a time.”
Although Harbaugh stopped far short of giving much of substance when it comes to what his next move could be, he definitely made it clear that he is taking advice from those around him as he considers what’s next. In other words, a return to the NFL remains a very real possibility.
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manual has become public enemy number one for what fans believe is his poor handling in offering an extension to Harbaugh. It’s hard to say if the outrage directed at Manuel is justified, but it does feel a little bit strange that there isn’t a deal already in place that provides everything Harbaugh is reportedly asking for.
According to a number of reports, one of the sticking points seems to be the NCAA and how it may choose to handle the sign-stealing saga that surrounded the Michigan Football program during the 2023 season. Although Harbaugh has already served a three game suspension for that issue from the Big Ten Conference, it’s likely that additional punishments will follow from the NCAA – and Harbaugh reportedly wants some assurances from the University of Michigan in the event that it happens.
At the same time, it’s also worth noting that U-M can’t offer everything that Jim Harbaugh wants, especially as it pertains to the Lombardi Trophy.
When it comes to Harbaugh’s future at Michigan, it’s clear that there are several factors at play that could swing things in one direction or the other. Can Michigan offer what Harbaugh wants? What will the NCAA decide to to about recruiting violations and the sign-stealing issue? is an NFL franchise willing to place their bets on a man who hasn’t coached in the league in nearly 10 years?
Either way you cut it, this will be a decision that will have a massive impact on the Michigan Football program moving forward.
