Report: Broncos reached out to Harbaugh. Prognosis: Extremely unlikely.

Submitted by Seth on January 2nd, 2023 at 12:34 AM

I deleted the other thread because the OP did such a terrible job. NFL reporter said Broncos have reached out.

Since Harbaugh's made it clear he's not taking calls, until there's any sign of reciprocation this is just NFL reporters getting the annual Harbaugh clicks. On the Michigan side at least one insider already has a "not happening" source.

 

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^

He'd go to the Colts before the Broncos.  Also, there's no reason someone has to keep saying no because a bunch of poorly run NFL front offices are trying to save their jobs by throwing his name out there.  Yes, I'm sure a GM reached out to Harbaugh's agent or confidant and asked.  That person said no.  That's the story.  Constantly having to publicly state "no" while you're also dealing with various other parts of your actual job isn't on Harbaugh or anyone else.  

mackbru

January 2nd, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^

It defies all evidence to say there's no reason for him to deny it. Last year's recruiting class is proof positive that you need to shoot down rumors or you pay a steep price on the recruiting trail. This  especially applies to Harbaugh because he tried to jump last year but was shown the hand by the Vikings. 

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^

Last year he actually interviewed for an NFL job; this year he said he's not interested.  Those are two different situations and while I'm sure Harbaugh's flirtation with the NFL hurt recruiting somewhat ot certainly seems like other factors, like NIL, some less-than-stellar recruiting efforts by guys on the staff, changes to the staff at key spots, and factors beyond his control (e.g. Dante Moore wanting to start somewhere) worked against him more.

Perkis-Size Me

January 2nd, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^

I wouldn't really want to coach that team right now. The QB situation looks like a complete disaster, and Denver mortgaged their future to go get this guy. They're probably going to be in a tough cap space for a while, and while I'm not intimately familiar with Denver's personnel, if that team is not already in the mold of what Harbaugh would want, particularly on the line, its going to be extremely tough for him to build it through the draft, as well as acquire top flight pieces that he'd need in FA. 

uofmchris2

January 2nd, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^

People in Denver are clinging onto the "Walmart money cannon!" belief. They seem to believe that the Walmarts can just launch their money cannon at any highly respected coach and that will lure them to Denver.

As if throwing a shit ton of money at one person really helped them the last time they did that....(Wilson). Ironically, that is why they are in this situation right now. 

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^

There's so little upside anymore for Harbaugh pursuing NFL jobs.  They seemingly all want recent NFL guys or 38-year-old wunderkinds.  Harbaugh is neither and so if they bring him in it feels like it's mostly a PR thing for the various teams' fans to say "oh yeah, that really good coach is considering our shitty team so if we go with some first-year guy it's because he beat out a legend".  It's all theatre and it costs Harbaugh time and support at home.

double blue

January 2nd, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^

He can’t make the statement he made about being here in 2023 and leave without completely and rightfully tarnishing his legacy.    
 

confident he’s here in 2023.  2024? We will have to wait and see. 

Puget Sound Blue

January 2nd, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^

Of course not every report of NFL interest in Harbaugh means that he's going to leave Michigan, but I think it's only a matter of time and the right offer from the right team before he does leave. I don't say that to criticize Harbaugh. It's a business, and people change jobs all of the time. The impression that I get is that Harbaugh wants to end his career in the NFL, and I think he's going to do that.

Michigan, for its part, should be ready for that if and when it happens. I don't think that the university should expend any extra effort to keep him; just wish him well and move on.

SalvatoreQuattro

January 2nd, 2023 at 12:17 PM ^

I have to be honest I feel ambivalent about whether he stays or goes. While the last two years have been incredible on the field the flirtation with Minnesota after last year and the latest failure in a bowl game leaves me feeling a bit indifferent about Harbaugh potentially leaving.

The next coach needs to be a college guy. Someone who won’t attract NFL rumors every year.

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^

The thing is college guys always get NFL talk as well.  Ryan Day has been connected with various openings, Lincoln Riley gets brought up, Urban Meyer famously flirted with NFL clubs while in college before going to Jacksonville.  If you're successful and not just insufferable some NFL team will come sniffing around.  

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^

I'm surprised as well but I do wonder if the Urban Meyer stink is on him a bit.  He's a different coach and person but much like I'd be a dubious of drafting an OSU QB given how bad they've universally been in the NFL I'd be a bit leery about a guy who inherited a great program, has huge talent advantages that are somewhat systemic, and might struggle quite a bit running his stuff with more talent parity.  But yeah, surprised someone hasn't take a flyer on him.

Ezekiels Creatures

January 2nd, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^

 

Starting at 0:27

"No man knows the future....

at 0:51 "most likley"

Did not say definitely yes.

 

https://twitter.com/BradGalli/status/1600341217463586816

 

 

The Athletic has just reported, from "multiple sources", about an hour ago that if he gets an offer from and NFL team he is taking it, a "done deal":

 

https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1609988397388496899?ref_src=twsr…

 

Navy Wolverine

January 2nd, 2023 at 4:00 PM ^

How can it be a "done deal" if he doesn't even know what the deal is? These NFL writers think the world revolves around the NFL. Seems like they are fishing for clicks. All that being said, Jim needs to shut it down or it will be a thorn in the program's side.

Ezekiels Creatures

January 2nd, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^

I've never seen Bruce Feldman and Nicole Auerbach be wrong. But this could be the first time.

I don't think Jim  Harbaugh feels settled in at the college level. I'm not going to be surprised if he goes, especially with the Athletic saying this.

Denver gave Peyton Manning a great offer. I never believed he'd go to Denver. I was completely wrong. They could do it too with Jim Harbaugh. Nothing would surprise me anymore.

Solecismic

January 2nd, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^

There were two things about Michigan during the 10-year-war that took place during Harbaugh's childhood. One was that everything stopped in Ann Arbor during Ohio State week - nothing existed but The Game. And the second was that getting to the Rose Bowl mattered, playing in it was an afterthought.

His father was an assistant coach here during much of that time. When he left for Stanford in 1980, Jim finished high school in California, then came back for college.

So I think (and this is pure speculation from being in the same grade at that time) that the last two seasons represent a certain amount of Mission Accomplished with him. I don't think he will take Saturday's loss as hard as he took any of the Ohio State losses. Which doesn't mean he doesn't want another shot at it - just that two straight Big Ten championships feels pretty damned good.

There is a lot of unfinished business in the NFL. To lose to his brother in the Super Bowl - that must hurt more than anything. And NIL and free agency and this transition phase - college football is in a weird place right now, hard to see where it's going.

I can understand the temptation. I think he stays, but if he doesn't feel Ann Arbor appreciates what he's done, that's the end of it. If it weren't for the 2020 mess, I would have said he was a lifer here, no question.

Ezekiels Creatures

January 2nd, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^

Football Scoop is saying there's 3 names Denver is pursuing, Sean Payton, Dan Quinn, and Jim Harbaugh. If they decide on Harbaugh, and give an offer, he gone.

 

I thought all this stuff was over.