In the midst of swirling rumors linking Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Michigan Wolverines head coach has provided some clarity on his future, suggesting he expects to stay in Ann Arbor.
The speculation gained traction after ESPN’s Mike Greenberg disclosed details of a personal conversation with Harbaugh, in which the coach expressed admiration for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Jim Harbaugh thinks Herbert is the best in the league?? Sign me up pic.twitter.com/cloqcZ4x3R
— I’ll see brandon staley in hell (@t_billygoat) December 4, 2023
The Chargers, currently in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Brandon Staley last week, have naturally become a focal point of speculation regarding Harbaugh’s potential return to the NFL.
The 59-year-old coach has been under scrutiny not only for his rumored NFL aspirations but also due to disciplinary issues at Michigan. Harbaugh previously served a three-game suspension from the Big Ten in connection to a sign-stealing scandal, and there’s looming uncertainty regarding potential additional sanctions from the NCAA.
The Big Ten announced Friday that it has suspended Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for the remainder of the 2023 college football regular season in the wake of the school's ongoing sign-stealing scandal.
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 10, 2023
However, while recently addressing his seniors at a function, he told them: “I just wanna say, I hope some of you are coming back next year.”
Jim Harbaugh to his seniors as they leave the stage after getting their M rings: "I just wanna say, I hope some of you are coming back next year."
Zak Zinter then gave Harbaugh a Winged Helmet signed by the whole team.
— Derick Hutchinson (@Derick_Hutch) December 18, 2023
Of course, those words don’t serve as a concrete stance on anything … But you can certainly spin it as Harbaugh knowing that he’s not going anywhere.
After all, there are reports that Harbaugh and the university are in negotiations on a potential contract extension.
As far as actual football goes, we are counting down the days to the much-anticipated Playoff showdown between Harbaugh’s Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Is this the year Harbaugh and the Maize and Blue finally win the national championship?
Do you think he’ll end up staying in Ann Arbor?
Or when push comes to shove, will the itch of returning to the NFL be too great to resist scratching???
.@chrisfallica thinks Jim Harbaugh will be the next head coach of the Chargers… pic.twitter.com/s1ih0nALN6
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 13, 2023