Why Jim Harbaugh to the NFL feels increasingly likely, what's next for Michigan

Less than a month after being crowned national champion at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has completed two interviews to become a coach in the NFL once again.

On3’s Jesse Simonton and Andy Staples pondered what could be next for Michigan if Harbaugh decides to move back to the professional level. They ultimately concluded that Harbaugh’s future seems to be set in stone at this point in the NFL’s coaching carousel.

“Harbaugh to the NFL has felt like the destined path since before the season. It was one of my bold predictions,” Simonton told Staples. “Still waiting on him. … I said I thought this would be his last season. We still don’t know if that’s the case, but it seems to be kind of trending that way.”

Before he was at Michigan, Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl in 2013 before being bested by his brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens.

As of this report, Harbaugh has completed head coaching interviews with the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons. He had shown interest in going back to the NFL last offseason, completing an interview with the Minnesota Vikings but that resulted in nothing at the time.

Assuming that Harbaugh is off the the NFL, Simonton challenged the idea and rumor that LSU head coach Brian Kelly might take over in Harbaugh’s place. Instead, he believes Michigan should hire a familiar name as their next headman.

“I was on SEC Mike’s show late last week and he kind of asked me, or he kind of posited this whole situation where he thought that the domino effects of Michigan and could LSU unravel if Michigan ends up going to Brian Kelly,” Simonton continued. “I said the fastest, simplest solution for the Wolverines is to maintain their roster and kind of continue that continuity, and that’s to promote Sherrone Moore. It’s sitting right there.

“… I mean, Sherrone Moore already proved himself as a solid candidate and/or replacement late last season. I think he has as many top 10 wins as James Franklin does during his entire tenure at Penn State in one year. So I would promote the man, I would keep as much continuity as possible. If Harbaugh leaves, you’re probably going to lose Jesse Minter with him to the NFL. I would absolutely green light Sherrone Moore as Michigan’s next head coach.”