At first, I thought all the talk of Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan was just that– talk. But, now, experts all over the country are releasing more reports indicating that it’s a real possibility. Read on for the scoop.
Coming off a great season
Many experts say that since Jim Harbaugh is coming off what is by far his best season at Michigan, the time is now for a move– and he’s interested. Michigan finally beat rival Ohio State under Harbaugh for the first time in 17 years, and they also won the Big 10 Championship.
The latest on the Bears
A new report from Hub Arkush on NBC Sports Chicago’s “The Rush,” states that the Bears have talked to Harbaugh.
Hub Arkush on Jim Harbaugh's Bears Conversation
“I’ve had some contact with Jim,” Arkush said on The Rush. “I didn’t ask him and he didn’t tell me. But one other source who is usually pretty good told me that there was just a brief phone conversation.”
Hub Arkush on Jim Harbaugh's Bears Conversation: Part 2
Hub Arkush added, “I’m not going to say it’s between Jim and somebody in the organization, which I think may have just been trying to say, ‘Hi,’ may have been trying to read the tea leaves without asking the questions. I don’t know. I can’t confirm that for certain, but it’s a pretty good source. I think that there was a phone call and I think where that phone call ended is Jim’s got decisions to make and again, he just hasn’t made them.”
Now, onto the Raiders
The Raiders is the team insiders REALLY think could take Jim Harbaugh away from Michigan.
New info on the Raiders
According to a report from The Athletics’ Bruce Feldman, current Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh would say yes to the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching job, if it was offered. If true, that’s huge.
Why the Raiders?
“Harbaugh, who has a long friendship with owner Mark Davis, started his coaching career with the team in 2003. He also has family ties to Las Vegas, which is where he met his wife,” The Athletics’ Bruce Feldman says.
Another expert pointing to the Raiders
“Jim Harbaugh is choice No. 1 for Mark Davis and the Las Vegas Raiders. I didn’t know this to be true until yesterday evening when more than one person very close to the situation in Las Vegas told me it was the case,” Sports Illustrated’s Brandon Brown reported.
Another indication the Raiders might be it
Here’s what CBS Sports says about Harbaugh going to the Raiders:
“The Raiders are searching for a new general manager after firing Mike Mayock, and interim head coach Rich Bisaccia just took this team to a playoff appearance. Bisaccia may end up getting the job, but the Raiders are interviewing general manager candidates and could move on from the interim coach too.”
“Vegas has a quarterback in Derek Carr and a playoff-caliber roster, making the job attractive. Owner Mark Davis paid Jon Gruden $10 million a year to be his head coach, and he’ll be looking to make a big splash.”
“Enter Jim Harbaugh, who the Raiders will work diligently to get back to the NFL. Harbaugh is no stranger to success in the league, going 44-19-1 in four seasons as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers won the NFC championship in the 2012 season and reached the conference championship game for three consecutive seasons (2011 to 2013), as Harbaugh compiled a .695 win percentage in the regular season — fifth on the all-time list for coaches that have coached for four seasons. Harbaugh left for Michigan after the 49ers finished 8-8 in 2014, going 61-24 for the Wolverines and a Big Ten championship with a College Football Playoff appearance this past season — yet is 0-3 in New Year’s Six bowl games.”
“Harbaugh is the winner the Raiders seek, the coach Davis will drive a Brink’s truck to in order to land him. Vegas may be the job that gets Harbaugh to leave his alma mater and return to the NFL, knowing he’ll get all the resources he wants to win immediately.”
“The Raiders will court Harbaugh, and are the team in the best position to get him. “
Harbaugh's response to the rumors
“It’s a little more enjoyable this year compared to the rumors last year, so,” Harbaugh said when asked about the latest NFL talk. Time will tell, but it’s getting close.
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: DJ Turner #5 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Nolan Smith #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs forces a fumble by Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball as Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the third quarter of the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Warren Brinson #97 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts to block a pass by J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs talks with Justin Shaffer #54 in the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts on the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: The Orange Bowl trophy is displayed before the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches the ball for a touchdown as Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to throw the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines is taken down by Lewis Cine #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball as Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball as Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines is taken down by Lewis Cine #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: the Michigan Wolverines enter the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)