Jim Harbaugh addresses NFL rumors: 'I think I will be coaching Michigan next year'

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is back in NFL circles as reports of the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers being interested surfaced. However, Harbaugh spoke up Tuesday about the NFL flirtation for the second consecutive season.

At this point, at least according to Harbaugh, he will coach Michigan in 2023 as the Wolverines go into next fall looking for a third straight Big Ten title. That’s a stark difference from the reported conversation Harbaugh had with Panthers owner David Tepper.

But in a conversation with Queen City News, Harbaugh predicted he’d be back in Ann Arbor.

“Although no one knows the future I think I will be coaching Michigan next year,” Harbaugh said, via Will Kunkel.

Reports surfaced following the Fiesta Bowl loss Harbaugh would head back to the NFL if offered a job. The Denver Broncos were reportedly interested in the two-time Big Ten champion coach.

Harbaugh signed a five-year, $36.7 million extension with the school in February 2022 following the team’s first Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance under his watch.

The Wolverine’s Chris Balas reported Harbaugh could end up staying at the school due to administration preparing raises for the head coach and staff.

“Sources at Michigan informed TheWolverine.com last week they were preparing raises and extensions for several on the U-M coaching staff — including Harbaugh — as well as many in the athletic department,” Balas wrote. “As it stands now, Harbaugh’s buyout is only $3 million.

“The same sources also said Harbaugh is now working with an agent. That’s not to say he is actively seeking an NFL job — on the contrary, in fact. He said weeks ago he planned to be back at Michigan in 2023.”

Last year, Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings but the two sides could not come to an agreement and mutually decided it was better for the coach to return to Ann Arbor and the Vikings ultimately landed on Kevin O’Connell last year.

Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14. In those four seasons, Harbaugh went 44-19-1 and made the playoffs three times. In his second season with the 49ers, Harbaugh took them to the Super Bowl where they would come up just shy of the win against the Baltimore Ravens.

Now through eight seasons at Michigan, Harbaugh is 74-25 with two Big Ten titles and two playoff appearances, but is 1-6 in bowl games.