The Michigan Wolverines have been dominant this season under the leadership of head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, people have speculated that his NFL return has been inevitable for years. Should he finally make a comeback?
It appears as though as many as 10 teams could be searching for a new head coach this off-season. Some could very well dip into the collegiate ranks for their new leader.
Harbaugh is the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. From 2011 to 2014, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a record of 44-19-1 and one Super Bowl appearance when he famously went against his twin, John, and the Baltimore Ravens.
At Michigan, Harbaugh has gone 83-25 in nine seasons. Unfortunately, those wins haven’t come without controversy.
Currently, Harbaugh is suspended due to alleged sign stealing at the college level. He'll return for the conference championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes -- likely a pit stop on the way to the CFB playoffs.
If Harbaugh leaves to avoid further scrutiny (or penalties), it could be similar to when Pete Carroll left USC years ago to coach the Seattle Seahawks right before a bowl ban went into effect.
Perhaps the real question is if Harbaugh even wants to coach in the NFL, given how much control he’s had during his time in Michigan. Joining a team like the Chicago Bears or the Carolina Panthers could decrease the power he’s earned in his current role. College football can be considered a cult and Michigan's post-game reactions to Harbaugh's absence resembled an obituary. He won't be as beloved in the NFL, but it's also a less time-consuming job.
Only time will tell if Harbaugh comes back to the NFL. Still, it would take a better situation than what many of the low-level teams have to offer, considering that Michigan has become a powerhouse championship contender in recent years.
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