The Los Angeles Chargers get the first bite at the apple with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with an initial interview scheduled for Monday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Long-discussed to be amongst the Chargers’ top targets, Harbaugh has not signed a long-term extension with the Wolverines and side-stepped recent questions surrounding his interest in returning to the NFL.
Harbaugh, who won three-consecutive Big Ten titles and comes off Michigan’s first national championship since 1997, first touched on his options in November, describing a previous conversation with his father about coaching as long as he can.
NFL Media was first to report that Harbaugh and the Chargers could speak as early as this week, and the Las Vegas Raiders are also intrigued by the idea of the Michigan coach heading West. Harbaugh’s continued flirtations with various NFL openings in recent years make him an easy target this time of year and given his prior stint in the Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers, various insiders have suggested the murmurs have merit.
The Michigan Insider reported during the season that sources expected Harbaugh to at least entertain NFL opportunities once again, including the vacancy for the Chicago Bears, but some of those talks died down for the NFC franchise.
After ditching NFL-related questions before the title game, Harbaugh sidestepped a follow-up inquiring if he has assured the Michigan administration that he will be back in Ann Arbor for the 2024 season.
“Yeah, there’s a calendar – I’ll gladly talk about the future next week,” Harbaugh said. “And I hope to have one, how about that? A future, I hope to have one, yes. Thank you.”
The Michigan Insider reported in December that the final sitdown between Harbaugh and Michigan on an extension likely wouldn’t happen until after the coach has talked with the Chargers. Harbaugh was not interested in entertaining any overtures from NFL franchises while his team was preparing for their playoff appearance.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said over the weekend his university is working to get an extension in place.
“To answer the question I heard about 500 times on the parade route, I’m working on getting this man a new contract, I promise you,” Manuel said.
Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 last week as the victors of the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines topped Alabama in the semifinals.
“I can now sit at the big person’s table in the family,” Harbaugh said jokingly postgame, via The Michigan Insider. “They won’t keep me over there on the little table anymore. My dad, Jack Harbaugh, won a national championship and my brother (John Harbaugh) won a Super Bowl. It’s good to be at the big person’s table from now on.”
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