NFL teams appeared to have digested the fallout from the Michigan sign-stealing scandal that rocked the college football community.
With Jim Harbaugh’s name once again being tossed into coaching chatter, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Thursday that organizations’ interest in the Wolverines head coach hasn’t wavered amid the recent controversy.
“At first, when this whole thing happened with Jim Harbaugh, all the teams I talked to when I asked, ‘Is this going to affect him if he decides to go and come into the NFL,’ at first, teams would say we really want to start hearing more about this investigation, but as the last couple of weeks have gone, that has just completely changed,” Glazer said.
“All the teams I’ve talked to say regardless of what we hear in that investigation, that’s not going to affect the way we look at Jim Harbaugh if he wants to come back and coach in the NFL. I actually think for the NFL, they’ve kind of moved on from this.”
Michigan’s football program had been under investigation for an alleged sign-stealing scheme that ex-staffer Connor Stalions was accused of spearheading.
Stalions allegedly attended games of upcoming Michigan opponents and recorded hand signals.
Stalions has stepped down from the program and linebacker coach Chris Partridge was fired last week for reportedly trying to cover up evidence.
Earlier this month, the Big Ten announced it was suspending Harbaugh, 59, from the sidelines for the remainder of the 2023 regular season.
Harbaugh is allowed to coach practices and run team activities, though.
Prior to joining his alma mater in 2015, Harbaugh coached the 49ers from 2011-14, leading San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance in February 2013.
He interviewed for the Vikings and Broncos head coaching vacancies in the past two offseasons.
Michigan (11-0) is gearing up for its rivalry matchup Saturday against Ohio State (11-0).
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