Jim Harbaugh, known for his dominant football resume, has also earned a reputation as a challenging figure to work with.
Interestingly, that dynamic reportedly played a pivotal role in the Chicago Bears’ decision not to hire Harbaugh as head coach earlier this year, allegedly at the direction of team president and CEO Kevin Warren.
Harbaugh, now thriving in his first year as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, was reportedly interested in returning to the NFL with the Bears in January.
However, according to former NFL executive Mike Lombardi, Warren, who previously served as Big Ten commissioner, vetoed the idea.
“Look Kevin Warren’s running them team, let’s make no mistake about that,” Lombardi said on The Pat McAfee Show. “You can sit there and say that somebody else is – he is.
“And that story that was written about Jim Harbaugh is completely true. Now remember, Warren and Harbaugh – Warren being the commissioner of the Big Ten and Harbaugh had some differences. And I think they let it spill over.”
The tension between Harbaugh and Warren reportedly dates back to their time in the Big Ten, when Harbaugh was leading Michigan’s football program and Warren was the conference’s commissioner.
The friction apparently played a role in Warren’s decision to block a potential reunion between Harbaugh and the Bears, where Harbaugh spent part of his playing career as a quarterback.
Harbaugh’s desire to return to the NFL was no secret. He had flirted with NFL opportunities in previous years but finally made the leap in early 2024 after leading Michigan to a national championship.
According to Lombardi, the Bears weren’t the only team Harbaugh had eyes for.
“There were two teams that Jim Harbaugh would’ve loved to work for, I’m sure, last year: The Bears, who he played for, was the No. 1 pick for. And then the Las Vegas Raiders who we worked for in his first coaching job,” Lombardi said.
“Neither team decided to go after him. Why? I don’t know. To me, if you’re Kevin Warren, the object of this is to get the best coach available. And Jim Harbaugh would’ve been the best coach for your team.”
Instead, the Bears stuck with then-head coach Matt Eberflus, only to fire him after a disastrous Thanksgiving Day clock management blunder against the Detroit Lions.
With Chicago now looking for its next head coach, Bears fans are left wondering what could have – and should have – been.
Under Harbaugh, the Chargers are in strong contention for a playoff spot, while the Bears have struggled to find consistency.
Las Vegas, another team Harbaugh reportedly considered, also passed on him and has similarly underperformed this season.
In hindsight, the Bears’ decision not to pursue Harbaugh is one they should clearly regret.
It’s obvious that egos got in the way, and the team – and their fans – are suffering because of it.
What are your thoughts on the report that the Bears blew a golden opportunity to hire Harbaugh???