The Michigan Wolverines, fresh off its first trip to College Football Playoff and their first win over archrival Ohio State in nine seasons, might be losing head coach Jim Harbaugh.
With nothing more to prove at the college ranks — short of winning a national title — the former Super Bowl coach’s name is resonating around many of the current eight openings. None more heavily than the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jim Harbaugh Open To NFL Return Following Underwhelming Tenure At Alma Mater
Per Bruce Feldman of The Athletic:
“Multiple sources inside Michigan football told the The Athletic this week they think if Jim Harbaugh is offered the Raiders job, he’d take it.”
Jim Harbaugh will likely take the Raiders HC job if offered per @BruceFeldmanCFB pic.twitter.com/VX2oeBGdW3
— PFF (@PFF) January 20, 2022
The Raiders, despite all their turmoil, still qualified for the playoffs. Now the question is do they believe in interim head coach Rich Basaccia long term?
While he did interview for the job on Wednesday, that happened to be the same day rumors of Harbaugh to Vegas started to swirl.
According to mlive.com, “There has been no indication that Harbaugh, 58, has been offered the job, or interviewed for it. But the Harbaugh-to-Las Vegas link has heated up in recent days after the Raiders fired general manager Mike Mayock on Monday, paving the way for a whole new regime.”
Bisaccia loves his players.
Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia hand wrote Thank You notes to all his players after their loss to the Bengals 🥺
Amazing 👏
📸: @VinceSports pic.twitter.com/ibonbes2zN
— PFF (@PFF) January 17, 2022
And the feeling is mutual, which plays directly into his growing reputation as a motivator and leader.
When Henry Ruggs III killed a young lady and her dog while driving intoxicated at over 150 mph and Jon Gruden’s racist and homophobic emails led to his demise further and exposed the NFL’s oppressive culture, Bisaccia held down the fort, and instead of collapsing the Raiders, he took them to the playoffs.
Does Rich Bisaccia deserve to be the Raiders head coach going forward? pic.twitter.com/PyumbB6IDf
— PFF (@PFF) January 20, 2022
Harbaugh Would Want Some Executive Control: Team Fired GM Mike Mayock This Week
Harbaugh can be a bit quirky and downright strange at times, but he’s also been more of a nomad in his coaching journey.
His seven-year run at his alma mater is his longest-tenured job he’s held. He hasn’t stayed for more than four years at any other stop, which includes Stanford and the Niners.
I now think the odds have shifted and Jim Harbaugh is more likely to be the Raiders head coach than Michigan's next year.
— Brandon Brown (@BSB_Wolverine) January 17, 2022
Firing Mayock off a playoff season may indicate that the team is willing to give Harbaugh the GM/HC role.
It probably wouldn’t work any other way. They remember the power struggle between Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke in San Francisco that ruined the Niners after three NFC title games in four seasons.
Harbaugh was extremely successful at both stops, especially with the Niners. From 2011-14 Harbaugh went 44-19 with three consecutive trips to the NFC Championship Game and one Super Bowl appearance.
Jim Harbaugh on the cover of @SInow: pic.twitter.com/8eKvFvWA9c
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 4, 2013
He also boasts a pretty solid college coaching record of 109-51, with stops at San Diego, the aforementioned Stanford, and Michigan.
Harbaugh Has Ties To Raiders: Team Is Looking For Homerun Hire
Following the resignation of disgraced head coach Gruden, and the numerous off-the-field infractions by players, owner Mark Davis needs to a hire a quality brand and someone who’s been successful.
With Harbs you’d be getting both. A crowd motivator with a pedigree who’s been successful at the professional and collegiate level.
Harbaugh was also the Raiders QB coach in 2002-2003 until he got the San Diego job. Derek Carr would have a head coach who understands how to maximize his quarterback’s skill set.
As far as personal ties to the city, his wife Sarah was once a teacher and real estate agent in Vegas before they married.
There’s plenty of reasons for Harbaugh to return to the NFL ranks, and the Raiders have some pieces for him to work with, which could be a way to sway Harbs to “Sin City.”
Plus plenty of cash, which Davis has.
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