As Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines focus on preparations for next month’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, the University of Michigan is reportedly focused on keeping its head coach. aHarbaugh has been linked to the NFL for the second season in a row as several teams could look to the former San Francisco 49ers coach as replacement in the upcoming offseason. Michigan continued to an 11-0 finish and won its third straight conference championship with a 26-0 rout of Iowa. The Wolverines will now chase the school’s first national title since 1997.
Harbaugh has been suggested as a potential candidate for several head coaching vacancies or soon-to-be vacancies. Jim Harbaugh’s future at Michigan is one of the most unpredictable stories in sports. A couple of months ago it seemed like a safe lock that the head coach would sign an extension and stay with the Wolverines for the foreseeable future, but now that’s in flux.
Harbaugh is still without a new contract, and despite some reports he’s inching closer to a new deal — there’s a chance this might be out of both sides’ hands. The NCAA continues to investigate “SignalGate,” and if history has taught us anything it’s that college coaches tend to jump ship when the heat is on.
There’s a non-zero chance Harbaugh could face a mammoth fine and suspension from the NCAA if it’s found he was aware of the sign stealing scandal — which in turn would force Michigan’s hand at parting ways with the coach. With his contract situation still up in the air, and numerous NFL teams set to look for a proven coach it’s time to assess where he could wind up if Harbaugh leaves the Wolverines.
