By Bruce Feldman, Nicole Auerbach, Austin Meek and Nick Kosmider
Several sources close to Jim Harbaugh said Athleticism On Monday, they expect him to leave Michigan for the NFL If a franchise offers him a coaching position. Here’s what you need to know:
- Harbaugh was 74-25 in eight seasons at Michigan. He led the wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten titles and college football playoff appearances.
- The coach’s buyout is only $3 million this year, and it’s shrinking every year of his new contract. The lump sum payment would be due within 60 days of the resignation. Harbaugh can be fired for the cause if he participates in a job search without telling the athletic director, according to his contract.
- “I think it’s a done deal if he gets an offer,” a source close to Harbaugh said.
AthleticismInstant analysis of:
Past
Last year, Harbaugh, who had just led Michigan to its first Big Ten title in 17 years, continued his NFL comeback.
On the day of signing in 2022, Harbaugh met the Minnesota Vikings but in the end I was not offered the job. He told reporters after that: “There was a draw to the NFL because I got closer to the Super Bowl, but it was time. And it’s the last time. Now let’s go chase the biggest prize. college football.
This year, Harbaugh led his alma mater to an even more impressive season, going undefeated in the regular season and dominating his rival. ohio state, again. This time it happened in Columbus and the Wolverines won’t go away, 45-23.
Over the past two seasons Harbaugh has shown that he has continued to evolve as a head coach and his program has seen a dramatic turnaround. UM was a heavy favorite going into their college football playoff semifinal game last weekend against TOS, but got angry, and now that NFL teams are once again paying close attention to the 58-year-old Harbaugh, his next move will be fascinating to watch. A return, perhaps Denver Broncos or his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, could be very tempting. — feldman
Harbaugh’s track record
Harbaugh is 44-19-1 as an NFL coach.
He took over the 49ers In 2011, after the organization went eight years without a winning season, it led them to the NFC title game in its first season. In his second season he took them to the Super Bowl where they lost to his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens team. In year three, the Harbaugh 49ers returned to the NFC title game. His team went 8-8 in its fourth and final season before returning to college to take control of Michigan. — feldman
Why the Broncos would make sense
Having hired three consecutive first-time head coaches who have failed to produce a winning record in any of their combined six seasons, previous head coaching experience is almost certainly a prerequisite. in the eyes of Denver’s new ownership group. Harbaugh’s success with the 49ers — a 44-19-1 record and a three-game NFC championship streak — would certainly be attractive for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015.
There is also the Stanford link. Broncos CEO Greg Penner and his wife, co-owner Carrie Walton Penner, both attended college. Limited shareholder Condoleezza Rice, who serves on Denver’s search committee, also has close ties to Stanford, where Harbaugh coached from 2007 to 2010. Rice recently helped Stanford lead its search for the coach’s replacement. longtime David Shaw.
Penner also noted in his address to the media last month after the dismissal of Nathaniel Hackett that he was looking for CEO-like qualities in the team’s next head coach, who will report directly to Penner. That would be a box checked by Harbaugh, who has spent the past 19 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate or professional level.
“I’ve worked with a lot of great CEOs, and it starts with really strong leadership,” Penner said Dec. 16. 27. “That will be the most critical factor here in a head coach. Obviously the Xs and Os are important, but we need a strong leader for this organization who is focused on winning. It starts with culture. This instills a sense of responsibility and discipline. We need an identity on offense. It has to start with culture and leadership. These characteristics are what we will focus on the most. — Kosmider
Required reading
(Photo: Kirby Lee/USA Today)
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