Jim Harbaugh is on the verge of embarking on one in every of sports activities’ proudest traditions: Bolting a university job when the warmth is on to simply accept a brand new one within the execs. It’s constructed off one other proud custom: Rich folks not struggling the implications of their actions.
The University of Michigan soccer workforce is about to have its hand slapped by the NCAA, with the expectation that this system can be hit with 4 Level II violations stemming from exceeding apply limitations throughout Covid, and even assembly recruits in breach of NCAA guidelines throughout the identical time. Harbaugh himself is predicted to get a Level I violation — which might see the Wolverines coach fined or suspended for deceptive NCAA investigators when requested in regards to the workforce’s conduct main as much as the Level II violations.
This comes at a time the place Harbaugh’s identify is as soon as once more being linked to a number of jobs within the NFL. Last 12 months it was reported that Harbaugh was near leaving Michigan to hitch the Minnesota Vikings, earlier than the Vikings in the end determined to rent Kevin O’Connell. Now it appears much more seemingly that Harbaugh will depart with quite a few groups reportedly being keen on hiring him, Harbaugh privately saying he’d settle for an NFL head teaching job, whereas publicly declaring it’s his plan to return to Michigan — with the caveat “no one knows what the future holds.”
A serious NCAA violation is exactly the form of factor that might push Harbaugh out of Michigan and again to the NFL, and that’s after contemplating that he might have left regardless. At this level it’s protected to assume that there’s a particularly good likelihood we’ll see Harbaugh again on an NFL sideline in 2023 — however the place?
Carolina Panthers
Owner David Tepper is determined to make a giant rent and has reportedly already approached Harbaugh about his curiosity within the job. A proper interview received’t be performed till after the workforce’s ultimate sport towards New Orleans, however evidently Carolina is able to make this official — if Harbaugh is.
For what it’s forth, I feel this may be actually unfair to interim head coach Steve Wilks, who squeezed a exceptional quantity of blood out of a stone this season when he took over for Matt Rhule. Wilks basically fastened Tepper’s failure and confirmed what an atrocious NFL head coach Rhule was in lower than a season, however all indicators are pointing to the workforce wanting a splashy rent.
It’s a reasonably engaging state of affairs when you’re Harbaugh. Wilks confirmed that this workforce can compete and win video games, no matter its horrific QB state of affairs. The Panthers could have a Top 10 choose, they’ve extra draft ammunition to maneuver up if the necessity arises, and the offensive line is in pretty good condition. Defensively the workforce is kind of set, with some minor tweaks wanted, moderately than a full overhaul.
Denver Broncos
Another potential touchdown spot for Harbaugh is Denver, the place he’d be tasked with a really completely different form of rebuilding job. The main concern right here is discovering a technique to reconcile the previous with a future. This means restoring Russell Wilson’s confidence and making an attempt to show him again into an MVP-caliber quarterback, if it’s potential — and maximizing the expertise on the roster.
Nathaniel Hackett was woefully incapable of doing something with this workforce. Harbaugh would positively be an enormous step up, which is why Mile High Report is all in on the thought of spending no matter it takes to safe him as head coach.
How interesting the Denver job can be fully hinges on whether or not you consider Wilson continues to be a top-tier NFL quarterback or not. If you don’t assume he has it anymore, or when you doubt his talents outdoors of Pete Carroll’s system it grow to be much more tough to think about Harbaugh taking one other stint within the NFL in this type of state of affairs. Denver nonetheless owes picks to Seattle within the Wilson commerce and their wage cap state of affairs isn’t nice due to how a lot assured cash they owe Russ.
However, there’s positively a situation the place Harbaugh sees the defensive expertise, and thinks Russ continues to be the man, and if that comes collectively then there’s no job which might be extra engaging.
Indianapolis Colts
There’s organizational familiarity right here, and we all know how Jim Irsay likes to rent individuals who have beforehand been part of the Colts prior to now.
As it stands there’s actually nothing concrete about Harbaugh to the Colts outdoors of seeing a gap and studying the tea leaves. It’s a curious match when you consider it. Of the three potential touchdown spots Indianapolis is the blankest canvas. It can be a real rebuilding effort with a chance to actually form the workforce in his picture, and he’d seemingly get loads of rope by selecting the Colts.
This is a crucial angle due to how ego performs into this. Harbaugh has no scarcity of it, and he loves getting acknowledgment for his successes. In Indianapolis he’d be placed on a pedestal and celebrated, which when paired with how a lot alternative there’s to make the Colts his personal, might be sufficient to lure him to Indy.
So, the place does Harbaugh find yourself?
Whatever occurs with the NCAA appears central to this. If the penalties for each the college and Harbaugh are small, then it’s fully potential he’ll stick with the Wolverines. However, if he does leap to the NFL then it appears the Carolina Panthers are probably the most logical touchdown spot.
The reality Harbaugh has even mentioned the job with David Tepper is huge. This can be an proprietor who has no downside throwing cash at one thing he believes in. The mixture of things in play provides the workforce a fantastic foundation for Harbaugh to construct off, with loads of latitude to make his mark.
Either means, Harbaugh’s standing goes to be a serious story to observe this offseason — whether or not it modifications the complexion of school soccer, or the NFL.