Jim Harbaugh still has the Big Ten championship game to coach, with Michigan facing Iowa on Saturday, and then likely the College Football Playoff, but speculation continues to swirl about where the Wolverines’ head coach will be next season due to the controversy surrounding the program.
The Athletic reported Harbaugh is “absolutely” a target for NFL teams looking for a new head coach next season and listed the Bears and Panthers as potential landing spots, adding that Harbaugh and Carolina owner David Tepper “had conversations last year” regarding the job.
Carolina ended up going with Frank Reich, who was fired last week after a 1-10 start with No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young at quarterback.
And while the Bears have yet to make a coaching move, head coach Matt Eberflus’ future is very much in doubt.
The Athletic reported that Chicago — where Harbaugh played during his career — has “had some conversations about that, depending on what decision they make with this coaching staff that is in place.”
The Bears are 7-22 during Eberflus’ first two seasons guiding the team, including 4-8 this year.
Harbaugh has already had success in the NFL with the 49ers and is in the middle of an undefeated season at Michigan that has been partially overshadowed by the sign-stealing allegations that caused the Big Ten to suspend him for three games.
And that came after Harbaugh’s ban earlier this season for recruiting violations.
Given all that, a return to the NFL seems more than plausible for the 59-year-old, especially considering that other teams, including the Raiders, Patriots, Chargers and Commanders could all have vacancies following this season.
“[Harbaugh] is certainly a name that is respected in league circles,” according to The Athletic. “[NFL] ownership is definitely interested in what he could bring back to the NFL.”
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