Will he stay or will he go? That’s what everyone is wondering about Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Rumors are everywhere that this is the year he’ll finally go to the NFL, following his winning season with Michigan. He’s finally spoken out about it. Read on for more.
First: The talk
One of the reasons people are talking so much about the possibility of Harbaugh going to the NFL is because of what a recruit’s father said.
The father of Darrius Clemons, one of Harbaugh’s recruits, also recently stated that Harbaugh told Clemons, amid recruiting time, that he was going to “entertain” returning to the NFL (via Sports Illustrated).
The team
Several reports, including one from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, point Harbaugh as moving to the Bears. Read more about that here.
Another team option
Other reports say the Raiders’ are Harbaugh’s dream team.
“Harbaugh is very well liked by Raiders owner Mark Davis, league sources said, beginning his coaching career as a quarterback coach there for the Raiders in 2002,” according to CBS Sports.
Jim Harbaugh speaks out
Harbaugh is in Houston this week for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award presentation. He was asked about the NFL rumors.
Harbaugh's response
“It’s a little more enjoyable this year compared to the rumors last year, so,” Harbaugh said when asked about the latest NFL talk. Really, Jim? You’re just going to leave us hanging? Okay, then. Urgh! We’ll keep you posted on this story.
Clip of Harbaugh addressing the rumors
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, in #Houston for @bryantawards Paul 'Bear' Bryant Award #BryantAwards, on the NFL coaching rumor mill:
— Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) January 12, 2022
"It's a little more enjoyable this year compared to the rumors last year, so..."
via @OpportuneLLP @American_Heart press junket. pic.twitter.com/7UBNleK9Bv
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)