NFL expert explains why CFP title game won't affect Jim Harbaugh's future
Jim Harbaugh has a chance to win his first national championship as a head coach and Michigan's first title since 1997.
By beating No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, 27-20, in overtime, Harbaugh and his No. 1-ranked Wolverines are one win away from college football immortality.
A perfect 15-0 season with a CFP championship trophy is certainly in reach. In fact, the early odds slightly favor Michigan against No. 2 Washington — which took care of No. 3 Texas, 37-31, in the Sugar Bowl.
Yes, Harbaugh is in a great spot, as is Michigan. It's somewhat surprising, then, to hear that NFL rumors are still swirling around the head coach as he looks to wrap up his ninth season in Ann Arbor in a big way.
The latest intel comes from NFL insider Adam Schefter, who believes that no matter if the Wolverines lose or win next Monday night, Harbaugh will have interest in returning to the NFL.
“My perspective has always been that Jim wanted to restore greatness to Michigan. He’s done that,” Schefter told Pat McAfee on Tuesday.
Schefter went on to say that win-lose-or-draw against Washington, he believes that Harbaugh still has the goal of winning a Super Bowl. He got close in Super Bowl XLVII when his San Francisco 49ers made it to the big game, but he (ironically) lost to his brother John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens.
Harbaugh's hiring a new agent also plays a role in the thought that the bombastic head coach wants to head back to the league.
“That’s why you hire Don Yee to go do that deal — a big deal. He didn’t hire Don Yee to go negotiate an extension with Warde Manuel. He just didn’t do that, OK?” Schefter said. “So let’s see what happens next Monday night, and then he gets to sift through his options and it’s up to the NFL to pull him into the league. I believe the opportunity is there. I believe he’s all ears. It doesn’t mean he’s leaving. They have to make up his mind for him. But he’s there to be had, in my mind.”
Harbaugh played at Michigan from 1982 to 1986 and then spent 14 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback.
As a coach, he made a name for himself at San Diego and then became part of the national conversation thanks to a great run at Stanford from 2007 to 2010.
Harbaugh coached the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, accumulating a 44-19-1 record.
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