Latest Update On Michigan And Jim Harbaugh Dealings.

The Chargers are the latest team to fire their head coach during the season, following the Raiders and Panthers. That puts them on the list of teams searching for a replacement either in advance of or during a hiring cycle that is likely to attract some high-profile players.

Jim Harbaugh might be one of those. Since taking over at Michigan in 2015, the former 49ers bench boss has not been in the National Football League. The recent wave of rumors suggesting an NFL comeback might come to a rest if a new contract with the Wolverines is reached. However, as Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post points out, many in the league are still persuaded that Harbaugh has his sights set on the professional ranks.

Despite receiving two consecutive three-game suspensions this season, Harbaugh’s chances of landing an NFL job are thought to be unaffected by Michigan’s sign-stealing method. The 59-year-old’s future is in doubt as he has once again been linked to several positions. Although there have been hints of a 2024 return, no official decision has been made as of yet.

On that note, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Harbaugh will wait until after the upcoming College Football Playoff has concluded. Ranked No. 1 in the country, the Wolverines have a strong chance of winning a national title for the first time under Harbaugh, who could pursue unfinished business by returning to the NFL. He led to 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, but came up short of a Lombardi Trophy during his four-year tenure in San Francisco.

Nevertheless, Harbaugh is a well-known coaching possibility due to his NFL experience and his time spent at Stanford and Michigan. He had a 2022 Vikings interview and saw the Broncos ahead of any other high school player Denver was looking at this year. After that process, Harbaugh reaffirmed his commitment to staying at Michigan, but it is not surprising that he has been linked to other openings across the league, both with clubs that currently have openings and those that are expected to make changes this offseason.

The Chargers had informal interest in Staley earlier in the day before he was dismissed. According to Armando Salguero of Outkick, a “Spanos family confidant” contacted Harbaugh’s associates before providing feedback to the Chargers’ owners. With Los Angeles currently searching for a new coach, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, emerges of that backdoor investigation.

In contrast to NFL coordinators who are currently under contract, Harbaugh is a candidate who is exempt from the regulations governing when potential head coaches can interview for head coaching openings. He can therefore consent to join an NFL staff at any moment, but in the upcoming weeks, he will still be focused on Michigan’s title prospects. Whatever the case, Harbaugh’s name will continue to be highly visible for the foreseeable future.