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Michigan Football: 3 thoughts on Jim Harbaugh’s NFL pursuits

By Chris Peterson

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Denver Broncos on Monday and here are three thoughts on his NFL coaching interests. 

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

That’s what I find myself thinking when it comes to Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh. I actually believed him when he said he was done with the NFL last offseason.

For the most part, Harbaugh has been true to his word. He never seriously explored the NFL interest outside of last year and told Warde Manuel, as well as Michigan football fans everywhere it was a one time thing.

Well, one year later, after another Big Ten championship and a team poised to make a serious run at a national championship in 2023, with its best player just announcing his return, Jim Harbaugh is still doing his NFL dance and it seems he won’t stop until he lands with one of the 32 franchises.

On some level, I have no problem with that. If Harbaugh wants to coach in the NFL he should. But his back-and-forth is a bad thing for Michigan football. It’s going to kill another recruiting class and it has to stop.

So with the news that Harbaugh has been interviewed and is emerging as a top candidate for the Broncos, here are some thoughts on the whole situation.

This needs to end soon, one way or another

Whether Jim Harbaugh decides to remain Michigan football coach or leave for the Broncos, this needs to be wrapped up this week — one way or another.

Michigan should offer to make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten. Hell, he should be as well paid as anyone in the country considering what he’s done the past two seasons and what he’s built at Michigan when he took over.

There is talk of negotiations but I don’t really understand that. From a Michigan perspective, it should be a blank check. Flat out. What do you want, Jim?

If that’s not how this is going, it’s a huge mistake. But Warde Manuel has allowed elite head coaches to walk out the door previously and seems intent on doing it again.

The fact that there wasn’t a huge extension a year ago tells you all you need to know. Michigan needs to do everything it can to make this deal happen. But one way or another, this has to end.

The 2023 recruiting class was hurt because of Harbaugh’s NFL interest. Dante Moore is one name that comes to mind and this is going to have a similar impact on Jadyn Davis too, who has talked about pushing his decision back again.

It’s time for Michigan football and Harbaugh to commit to each other and what they really need to do to win a national championship, including pay-for-play in some form.

But this can’t drag on for weeks. Harbaugh can’t be blind to the negative impact this is going to have on the program and if it continues and damages recruiting, that damages the hopes of winning a national title in the future.

Michigan already failed to capitalize on a playoff season last year and is on the path to doing it once again when it comes to the 2024 recruiting class.

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