AFC West team eyeing Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh?

It appears the Las Vegas Raiders might be considering making a run at Michigan's Jim Harbaugh to fill their head-coaching vacancy.

"The one thing I'd heard a little earlier in the fall was that Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds had made an impression on owner Mark Davis," wrote Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "Dodds, for what it's worth, has a relationship with Harbaugh—the two worked together in Oakland, when Harbaugh was getting started as a coach and Dodds was a young scout. Davis, of course, tried to hire Harbaugh in 2015, when Harbaugh jumped from the Niners to his alma mater."

Davis recently told The Athletic's Tashan Reed his search for an HC and GM is "wide open." However, he did mention he will probably hire a GM before he hires an HC. If he employed Dodds, it wouldn't be a surprise if they courted Harbaugh.

After Davis fired Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels in October, he appointed Antonio Pierce as interim HC and Champ Kelly as interim GM. Under Pierce, the Raiders (5-8) have posted a 2-3 record. Since it's unclear whether he has what it takes to flourish in the NFL, targeting a coach with a proven résumé makes sense.

Harbaugh served as 49ers HC from 2011-14. He posted a 44-19-1 record, won 2011 Coach of the Year and guided them to a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. He's helped the Wolverines earn three straight College Football Playoff berths in nine seasons at Michigan.  

During a recent appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show," The Athletic's Bruce Feldman said, "I think he's definitely going to the NFL" if Michigan wins the national championship this season.

Regardless, the franchise must ace its next hire. It hasn't won a playoff game in over 20 years.