Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his long-standing ambition by guiding his alma mater to its first national championship victory since 1997.
The team secured a commanding 34-13 win over the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 8, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Obviously, Michigan would love for Harbaugh to continue as their head coach following this monumental achievement.
"I want him to stay at Michigan. I've said. I believed it. Three to four years ago, when people wanted me to get rid of him, I didn't because I believed it then and I believe it now," Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel said after the title game.
The 60-year-old tactician has been on the sidelines for Michigan for the past nine seasons, and he could have coached his last game for the Wolverines.
Read more: Washington Football: 3 Reasons Huskies Lost to Michigan in CFP National Championship
Should Jim Harbaugh leave Michigan football and head back to the NFL?
Harbaugh faces an essential decision in the next few months, as Michigan has proposed a lucrative 10-year contract extension to Harbaugh, amounting to $125 million, positioning him among the top-paid coaches in the nation.
The former Michigan quarterback also hired agent Don Yee, who represented Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Julian Edelman, raising speculations about a move to the NFL.
Considering Harbaugh has already secured college football's premier accolade for his alma mater, it would be logical for him to seek a fresh challenge and contemplate a return to the NFL. The Washington Commanders inquired about the head coach as early as this week.
Jim Harbaugh's NFL track record
Harbaugh has already coached in the NFL in the past, and he has delivered exceptional results. He mentored the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons from 2011 to 2014, and his squads were known for their competitiveness.
As their head coach, he steered the team to Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 NFL season, setting up a memorable showdown against his brother John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens.
Despite a valiant effort, the 49ers fell short in a close contest, with a final score of 34-31 in favor of the Ravens.
Harbaugh left the team at the end of the 2014 season amid disagreements with 49ers executives.
Sign-stealing controversy
Amid their impeccable season, the team faced controversy over allegations of sign stealing, leading to an NCAA investigation.
Additionally, Harbaugh's extended absences were notable, as he served two distinct three-game suspensions imposed by Michigan and the NCAA, resulting in his absence from nearly half of the team's games.
Should Harbaugh decide to stay, he will confront various ongoing NCAA investigations, and it's plausible that he may prefer to avoid dealing with the NCAA altogether.
If a return to the NFL is on his agenda, the present moment offers him unparalleled leverage due to Michigan's recent title win.
Harbaugh may receive heightened interest and an abundance of options that may not be available in the future.
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