Jim Harbaugh won’t jump to the NFL now, but he left the door open

Anyone who follows the NFL and college football is familiar with the highly publicized coaching rumors of this time. Since taking over at the University of Michigan in 2015, Jim Harbaugh has been the star of rumors of his football coaching pro every December and he’s a pro every January. Whether or not the rumors have legitimate merit, like last year when Harbaugh finally refused to let the Minnesota Vikings stay in Ann Arbor (because of the potential for a big pay raise).

Given Harbaugh’s past NFL success with the San Francisco 49ers, including the 2012 NFC title, fans are often anxious to connect the dots and put Harbaugh in some new professional bargain. increase. Knowing this was now an annual occurrence while he rode two back-to-back Big Ten titles and berth highs in the college football playoffs, Harbaugh decided to nip this rumor in the bud. bottom.

How? While not ruling out a jump to the big leagues entirely, in a statement that oozes Harbaugh’s trademark…just in the future:

A true Michigan man.#go blue pic.twitter.com/ZLZiCSw8AG

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 5, 2023

On the one hand, it’s good for Harbaugh that he’s always put himself in front of all the prevalent speculation, seemingly putting the minds of those who stick to his every word in Ann Arbor at ease. On the one hand, he wasn’t making a “strong” statement denying the future of the NFL. Before actually stating that he “expects” (very committed!) to coach in Michigan in 2023, it is important to note that “no one knows what the future holds” about Harbaugh. says a lot. In it, he’s probably trying to keep his options open, with Harbaugh leveraging his NFL team in his future every time he wants a pay raise or a big contract extension from Michigan. There is also the idea that I want to continue. or.

As long as he stays in Michigan, the Wolverines will continue to be a national championship powerhouse every year. Winning that elusive title is a feather Harbaugh would definitely want to add to his cap as well.

But, of course, “no one knows what the future holds.”