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Bears Coaching Chronicles: Jim Harbaugh Hires NFL Agent

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Matt Berklan | Last updated Dec 31, 2023 12:49 PM ET

University of Michigan's head football coach Jim Harbaugh has been involved in several rumors about potentially making the jump back into the NFL. Harbaugh has been one of the names in the mix for the Chicago Bears if they were to move on from current head coach Matt Eberflus.

Where There's Smoke There's Fire

On the eve of his College Football Playoff matchup against Alabama, Harbaugh hired agent Don Yee, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter . Yee, who has represented Tom Brady and Sean Payton, has deep-rooted NFL ties. This news comes on the heels of a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Eberflus is expected to return as Bears head coach in 2024.

Jim Harbaugh's Coaching Success

Harbaugh's coaching career has bounced between college football and the NFL, and he has experienced success at both levels. During his time at Michigan, Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to three straight College Football Playoff appearances. Before taking the reins at Michigan, Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. In his first three years, Harbaugh had one Super Bowl appearance and three NFC Championship appearances.

After his recent run of sustained success at Michigan, a return to the grand stage of the NFL would only be fitting. This potential move also comes at a time when the team he quarterbacked for seven seasons, the Chicago Bears, needs a leader to rebuild a winning culture and take the team to the promised land.

Should the Bears Fire Matt Eberflus and Hire Jim Harbaugh?

Since 2011, the Bears have made the playoffs twice (2018, 2020), only to suffer defeats in their opening games each time. Matt Eberflus, now in his second season at the helm, has produced undesirable results. The Bears finished with a league-worst 3-14 record in 2022, and they currently stand at 6-9 entering Week 17 of the 2023 campaign. Chicago has just a 1% of making the playoffs, and it would require a great deal of help from other teams for the long shot to hit.

While Eberflus faced a slow start this season, the Bears have shown improvement with a 4-2 record in their last six games. However, for some, this may not be sufficient. The NFC North has weakened with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings recently experiencing significant setbacks in talent. Expectations for the 2023 Bears included substantial growth, but early-season struggles and three fourth-quarter collapses have not worked in Eberflus' favor.

If the Bears ultimately decide to move on from Eberflus, Harbaugh would be an extremely intriguing candidate to take over. He has ties to the franchise, success at the NFL and college levels, and an ability to work well with young players, whom the Bears are ripe with.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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