Michigan Coach Harbaugh Plays Coy on NFL Future

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has become a hot topic in NFL circles, but he may not be ready to leave a good thing. The one-time Chicago Bears quarterback told Queen City News that he believes he will be coaching in Ann Arbor next year.

In a conversation with Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan Head Coach tells @Queen_City_News “although no one knows the future I think I will be coaching Michigan next year.“
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 4, 2023

Harbaugh certainly gave himself an out, so it's possible he's simply playing coy. He had been linked to the Carolina Panthers' head coaching vacancy earlier this week.

Harbaugh coached the San Franciso 49ers from 2011-2014 to remarkable success, compiling a 44-19 record and winning a conference title following the 2012 season. He left the pros for his alma mater in 2015, where he won 74 of his 99 games but stumbled to a 1-6 record in bowl games.

Harbaugh would likely have his pick of the litter of whatever head coaching opportunities come available this offseason, but it will be difficult for many franchises to match the prestige and the bank of Michigan. He signed a five-year extension with the school in February of last year that reportedly pays him $7-7.5 million per season.