Jim Harbaugh

Chargers, Raiders “Pressing Hard” For Jim Harbaugh; Commanders, Bears Also Interested

January 7th, 2024 at 1:37pm CST by Rory Parks

1:37pm: Providing a further update to the Raiders connection in particular, Pauline reports Harbaugh would be interested in having quarterback J.J. McCarthy with him in Vegas in the event he took that job. The latter – whom Harbaugh recently termed the greatest QB in Michigan history – is one of several passers in contention to be selected in the first round of this year’s draft, although he is ranked below the likes of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.

Entering Week 18, the Raiders were on track to hold the No. 11 pick in April’s draft. Plenty will change in that department over the course of the day’s action, but Vegas could be well positioned to add McCarthy or another QB outside the top options on the board. With Jimmy Garoppolo‘s Raiders tenure widely expected to come to an end shortly, the team will have a need for at least a depth addition under center this offseason regardless of who is installed as head coach.

11:33am: Recent reports have suggested that the Raiders and Chargers are the likeliest landing spots for Jim Harbaugh should Harbaugh choose to leave the University of Michigan and return to the professional ranks. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com adds some more fuel to that fire.

Per Pauline, Las Vegas and Los Angeles are “pressing hard” to hire Harbaugh, and there are rumors that both clubs have made initial proposals to Harbaugh’s camp. While Pauline is unable to substantiate those rumors, he does say that rumors suggesting Harbaugh’s decision to hire agent Don Yee gives the Raiders an upper hand in these sweepstakes are true (Yee was the longtime agent for Tom Brady, who is likely to soon become a minority owner of the Raiders and who is a trusted voice for majority owner Mark Davis).

We heard at the end of December that Las Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce may stand a good chance of having the interim label removed and becoming the club’s full-time head HC. Subsequent reports, however, suggested that Davis may decide to take another “big swing” as he did with his hires of Jon Gruden and Josh McDaniels, and that Davis wants his Sin City outfit to be led by a high-profile coach.

Harbaugh certainly qualifies as a high-profile big swing, as does Bill Belichick, who has also been connected to the Raiders’ post. Harbaugh, whose Wolverines will appear in tomorrow’s CFP National Championship game, may yet elect to remain in Ann Arbor, and he reportedly has multiple extension offers on the table from Michigan (Yee’s hiring, aside from what it might mean for Harbaugh’s NFL hopes, obviously would also assist him in his negotiations with his alma mater). The looming presence of the Wolverines, along with Pauline’s report — which conflicts with earlier reports pegging the Chargers as the frontrunners for Harbaugh’s services — make this race a very difficult one to handicap.

Pauline muddies the waters even further by noting that the Bears and Commanders have also shown signficiant interest in Harbaugh. Just two days ago, Albert Breer of SI.com reported that Harbaugh is an unlikely candidate for Washington, though Pauline points to the team’s five top-100 picks in the 2024 draft and signifciant amount of cap space (roughly $80MM) as factors that sources close to Harbaugh say could draw the former 49ers HC to the nation’s capital. And while Chicago’s recent stretch of quality play has led to the belief that its current head coach, Matt Eberflus, has done enough to keep his job for at least one more season, Pauline says that could change if the Bears believe they have a chance to nab Harbaugh.

Should Harbaugh land an NFL gig in 2024, Pauline names Greg Roman and Willie Taggart as potential key coaching hires. Roman worked under Harbaugh’s brother, John Harbaugh, with the Ravens from 2017-22, including a four-year stretch as offensive coordinator from 2019-22. Taggart is currently on Baltimore’s staff as the team’s running backs coach and has a close relationship with both Harbaughs.

Of course, Roman also worked as Jim Harbaugh’s associate head coach at Stanford from 2009-10 and then as his OC with the Niners from 2011-14.

Raiders Eyeing Bill Belichick?

January 6th, 2024 at 10:26pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like we can add another team to the list of potential Bill Belichick suitors. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Raiders are “hoping to get a chance to meet with Belichick” if he’s let go by New England.

The Raiders sourced their most recent head coaching hire from New England, although it led to disappointing results. Josh McDaniels didn’t last two seasons in Las Vegas, as he was ousted in late October after starting the season 3-5. The team also fired GM Dave Ziegler, who previously spent close to a decade in New England’s front office.

Belichick would obviously bring a lot more credibility to the role than his former offensive coordinator. However, you have to wonder if Mark Davis and co. would be so willing to hire a Patriots staffer following their recent failure.

The Raiders’ connections to the Patriots go beyond McDaniels and Ziegler. While the move still isn’t approved, Tom Brady is set to become a minority owner of the organization, and there are whispers that he’ll have a say in the team’s next coaching hire. Considering the reported tension between Brady and Belichick at the end of the quarterback’s Patriots tenure, it’d be an interesting development if the new part-owner is willing to recruit his former coach.

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce reportedly has the support of his locker room when it comes to earning the full-time job. However, as Russini notes, Davis has “always made it known” that he wants his Las Vegas franchise to be led by a star name. That’s a reason why Jim Harbaugh could also be a leading candidate for the gig.

Of course, it remains to be seen if Belichick will even leave New England. We learned last night that the potential divorce could take weeks to finalize, and at the very least, it sounds like the respected coach will avoid a Black Monday ouster. A drawn-out separation could limit Belichick’s ability to get a new job, so it’ll be interesting to see how teams like the Raiders navigate their HC search while juggling Belichick’s uncertainty.

Staff Rumors: Commanders, Smith, Falcons, Bears, Pierce, Raiders, Giants

January 5th, 2024 at 5:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Among head coaches, Ron Rivera resides as the only true lock to be fired following Week 18. The Commanders‘ new ownership injects mystery into the upcoming search. Josh Harris has been rumored to be intrigued by a setup in which a football operations president-type figure oversees a GM and head coach, and SI.com’s Albert Breer further points to the owner being unlikely to hand the keys to a high-powered HC. Like Bill Belichick, Breer considers Jim Harbaugh an unlikely candidate in Washington. It is not known if Belichick would require personnel control if he ends up elsewhere, but Harbaugh having the leverage of more Michigan extension offers, it is expected the hard-edged HC would need significant input on the personnel front if he were to return to the NFL. So far, the Chargers have been the team most closely linked to luring him back.

Additionally, Breer notes Harris is intrigued by how the Eagles and Ravens’ power structures are set up. The Commanders hired ex-Ravens analytics staffer Eugene Shen as senior VP of football strategy in the fall. While the Eagles lost four staffers to assistant GM roles in 2022, the Ravens have a GM candidate in player personnel director Joe Hortiz. Baltimore’s OC-DC tandem — Todd Monken and Mike Macdonald — is expected to generate HC interest as well.

Going into Week 18, here is the latest from staffs around the NFL:

With the Falcons on the doorstep of a third straight 7-10 season, Arthur Smith‘s job status has come up frequently. Vacillating back and forth between being fired or becoming the rare HC to be given a fourth year despite three straight losing seasons, Smith was not exactly given a vote of confidence by Arthur Blank. But the longtime Falcons owner is not believed to be actively seeking changes, per Breer, making it sound like the hope is for Smith and GM Terry Fontenot to show enough to stay on. A one-sided loss to the Saints may well change Blank’s mind. The Falcons can win the NFC South by beating the Saints and the Buccaneers — who also have a coach on the hot seat — losing to the Panthers.
Ryan Poles is believed to have a good relationship with new Bears president Kevin Warren, being expected to stay on for a third year as GM. Prior to the Bears‘ rout of the Falcons, Matt Eberflus was linked to being in good standing for a third HC season. While expecting both to stay, Breer notes neither Bears power broker has been assured of a return. Warren has been a wild card in this scenario since he was hired, and the former Big Ten commissioner did not confirm publicly when asked Friday (via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley) if Eberflus would be retained. Eberflus is 10-23 as Bears HC, but the team — which has a rather important quarterback decision to make soon — is 7-5 over its past 12.
Raiders leaders Davante Adams, Maxx Crosby and Josh Jacobs would back the retention of interim HC Antonio Pierce, but Mark Davis is believed to be aiming higher. After all, Pierce — who resigned his two-year post as Arizona State DC in 2022 — has far less experience than Raiders DC Patrick Graham. But Pierce’s knowledge of the Raiders’ culture and history does appeal to Davis, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com writes, noting these factors matter considerably to the second-generation owner. No team has bumped an interim leader to the full-time post since the Jaguars elevated Doug Marrone in 2017.
Giants running backs coach Jeff Nixon is set for a responsibility jump; it will come at the college level. Syracuse hired Nixon as its offensive coordinator Friday. Nixon was in his first season as Giants RBs coach; he had served under Matt Rhule at Baylor and with the Panthers. The Giants hired Nixon last year to replace DeAndre Smith, who left to take the same position with the Colts.

Chargers Continue Jim Harbaugh Prep; Michigan HC Aiming To Land L.A. Job?

January 4th, 2024 at 9:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Michigan is set to play for a national championship for the first time in the CFP era, defeating Alabama in overtime Monday night. The Wolverines had encountered a rough patch before Jim Harbaugh‘s arrival, but the former Super Bowl HC has them positioned as one of college football’s premier programs. Michigan again looks to be competing with the NFL for its coach’s services.

Specifically, the Chargers loom as an opportunity Harbaugh may covet. While Harbaugh-to-NFL buzz has surfaced over the past two offseasons, the Bolts continue to be connected to their former quarterback. The Chargers-Harbaugh pairing has gained steam recently, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the Bolts have done preliminary homework on the former 49ers HC.

The subject of Harbaugh’s salary ask — potentially around $15MM — could complicate matters for an organization not known for spending big on head coaches, but the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora indicates Harbaugh “badly” wants the Bolts job. Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings in 2022 and Broncos last year but ended up back at Michigan. The Bolts bring the allure of a prized young quarterback, Justin Herbert, changing the equation. Then again, Harbaugh is not the only coaching candidate who is believed to be drawn to this job.

Lions OC Ben Johnson is believed to have interest, while other coaching agents have pitched their clients to Chargers ownership. The past three Chargers HCs reported to GM Tom Telesco, whom the franchise fired along with Brandon Staley last month. Harbaugh reporting to a GM he does not have a good relationship with might be a non-starter, considering the leverage he holds with Michigan. And a team should probably tread lightly with regards to Harbaugh and a GM — given how the deterioration between the Harbaugh-Trent Baalke relationship derailed that 49ers power structure.

Harbaugh’s success in the pros and in with his alma mater aside, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe notes he is not especially popular among NFL front offices and scouting staffs (subscription required). Questions understandably persist about Harbaugh meshing with a front office. Considering the Chargers’ long-held ownership-GM-HC workflow, this would naturally be an issue. Then again, team president John Spanos has said the organization is not committed to that setup with this next hire. Owner Dean Spanos is aiming at a “reimagining” effort when it comes to the franchise’s decision-making hierarchy. As of now John Spanos operates as a key voice above the GM.

With the Chargers already putting out Harbaugh feelers, it would appear ownership is at least ready to explore this partnership. Michigan has offered Harbaugh multiple extensions recently. One of those, a 10-year proposal, would prevent Harbaugh from exploring NFL opportunities in 2024. But that deal would not restrict the oft-tempted HC from doing so beyond this year. That Wolverines offer is believed to be worth $125MM. A shorter-term Michigan proposal worth around $11MM has also been extended. If the Chargers become serious bidders, Harbaugh may have an interesting decision to make.

The Chargers have opted for first-time HCs with their past three hires (Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn, Staley), keeping costs low. They will need to commit much more to their HC job to lure Harbaugh out of Ann Arbor. But the Vikings and Broncos were close to doing so. If Michigan defeats Washington for the title, the embattled HC — who has been twice suspended this season — would have accomplished everything at that level. The NFL would both provide an escape from NCAA punishment relating to the sign-stealing scandal that engulfed Michigan this season and give Harbaugh a second chance at a Super Bowl title.

Herbert’s presence, along with other veteran pieces, also separates the Chargers from the other current openings and those that could potentially emerge within days. The past two offseasons have ended with Harbaugh recommitting to Michigan. His recent issues notwithstanding, the powerhouse program will certainly be interested in keeping him win or lose in the CFP title game.

With Harbaugh not on an NFL staff, the Chargers could interview him earlier than the rest of the crowd. Coaches on NFL staffs must wait until after the divisional round to interview this year. He would also only cost money, whereas the Patriots still look to be hoping to collect an asset for Bill Belichick‘s rights. Harbaugh, 60, also may be viewed internally as a better option than the 71-year-old Patriots HC. The Bolts’ level of interest in the accomplished college candidate will be one of the central storylines to follow as this year’s HC carousel spins.

NFL Coaching Rumors: Harbaugh, Eberflus, Rivera

December 31st, 2023 at 2:30pm CST by Ely Allen

The rumors have not slowed down linking University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. Harbaugh has been continuously mentioned as a candidate for any open head coaching position in the last few years, and his latest move is only adding fuel to the fire. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Harbaugh has hired a new agent in Don Yee, a longtime agent with such notable clients as Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

Harbaugh is currently in a complicated position. As NFL teams have begun parting ways with coaches or making their intentions for the future clear, Harbaugh still has to deal with his current position. The top-ranked Wolverines are one of four college football teams in the country with something still to play for. Tomorrow afternoon, Michigan will face off against the 4-seed Crimson Tide for a chance to play in the National Championship the following Monday. In addition to being in contention to win it all at the college level, Harbaugh has also been in major discussions for an extension to remain at Michigan.

The possibility of an extension is one likely reason for Yee’s hiring. Entering complicated contract negotiations that have been rumored to include a clause restricting Harbaugh’s ability to leave for an NFL job is reason enough to bring in representation. That being said, Yee’s NFL ties are not easy to ignore. The obvious tie with Yee comes from his relationship with Brady. Brady has been rumored as a potential candidate for partial ownership in the Raiders, who recently parted ways with head coach Josh McDaniels. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce has been making a strong case to hold on to the permanent position with a 4-3 record since taking over, but we saw a similar interim situation not pan out for the incumbent coach in Carolina last year, so anything is still possible.

Here are a few other coaching rumors from around the NFL:

In a report last night, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport delivered an update on Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. Entering the 2023 season on a 10-game losing streak after having gone 3-14 in his first season as head coach, patience for Eberflus in Chicago seemed to be wearing thin. After the team finally ended the skid at 14 games, Eberflus has led the Bears to a 6-5 record since, keeping the team improbably in the playoff race. The Bears are playing winning football recently, with even their most recent two losses coming in one-score games against playoff teams from Detroit and Cleveland. At this point, Rapoport claims that he would be surprised to not see Eberflus back for the 2024 season. Additionally, Eberflus has been handling defensive coordinator duties since the untimely resignation of Alan Williams at the start of the season, a role he also may retain going into next year.
On the other hand, Rapoport wasn’t nearly as optimistic about the prospects for current Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. With new owner Josh Harris in the building, it was expected that Rivera would at least be granted the opportunity to make a case to retain his position. After a six-game losing streak that has eliminated Washington from playoff contention, Rivera’s audition is not going well. Spelling further possible doom for Rivera, after putting all of his eggs in the Sam Howell-basket, hoping to develop the young gunslinger into a franchise passer, Rivera has been forced to bench Howell in each of the team’s last two losses in favor of Jacoby Brissett. Nothing seems to have been decided quite yet, but things aren’t looking promising for Rivera and company in Washington.

Chargers Frontrunner For Jim Harbaugh; HC Contemplating Michigan Extension

December 24th, 2023 at 6:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jim Harbaugh remains at the heart of speculation and reporting with respect to the upcoming NFL hiring cycle. His future remains in doubt, but a leader has emerged in terms of an NFL destination if he elects to return to the pros.

The Chargers are the frontrunners to land the former 49ers head coach, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports. That comes as little surprise given the degree to which the two parties have been linked recently. Los Angeles made an informal inquiry about Harbaugh, whose candidacy for a second NFL HC gig has not been damaged by the pair of three-game suspensions he has served this year. To no surprise, though, Pauline notes Harbaugh is currently focused squarely on Michigan’s upcoming CFP semifinal.

Once the Wolverines’ season has come to a close, a new deal could await Harbaugh. The 60-year-old has received a 10-year, $125MM offer from Michigan, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport writes. The pact would include a clause precluding Harbaugh from taking an NFL job in 2024, but no such restrictions would apply beyond next year. A new Michigan contract has been in the works for some time now, but Harbaugh has yet to make a final decision. Rapoport adds another, shorter offer with an annual average value of roughly $11MM is also on the table.

Both versions of the potential extension could check in below Harbaugh’s asking price on an NFL deal, which Pauline pegs at $15MM per year or more. His track record both at Michigan and in San Francisco before that would give the former Super Bowl runner up plenty of leverage in negotiations on a return to the pro level, and the degree to which he would be involved in roster decisions will no doubt be a key talking point. Budgetary concerns have been raised regarding the Chargers’ search for a Brandon Staley replacement, but multiple reports have indicated they are prepared to spend big in search of a long-term answer on the sidelines.

Given the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert, many have pointed to Los Angeles as an attractive destination for veteran coaching candidates. A mutual interest is believed to exist, however, between the Chargers and Lions OC Ben Johnson, one of the league’s top up-and-coming offensive minds. Johnson will be a highly sought-after staffer, and he profiles as a much different option than Harbaugh. Los Angeles could very well lean toward the latter if the team’s desire for a proven option holds true, though.

Harbaugh has seemed to be on the verge of an NFL return over the past two offseasons, interviewing with the Vikings and Broncos during that time. While the Chargers are certainly a team to watch in this year’s cycle, one which appears to be out of the running is the Panthers. Carolina owner David Tepper is not believed to be interested in Harbaugh, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini (subscription required). The Panthers are expected to make a strong run at Johnson, something which would be particularly interesting if highly-regarded defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero were to be retained through a potential GM change.

Even if the Panthers are out of the running for Harbaugh, he will remain a signficant domino this season, as he has in years past. His willingness to commit to a new Michigan pact (or a lack thereof) will be particularly impactful for the Chargers as they undertake an organizational reset.

Chargers Interested In Jim Harbaugh; Latest On Team’s HC Search

December 23rd, 2023 at 5:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

DECEMBER 23: The Chargers will cast a wide net in their coaching search, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link). Candidates with a background as a coordinator, along with those who fit the CEO-type profile will be considered as a result. Spending big on a coach (either Harbaugh or another high-profile option) will not be an issue, per Rapoport.

That sentiment is echoed by a report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Chargers will consider any path during their bid to find not only a new coach, but also a general manager, per Florio. The order in which the HC and GM additions are made, along with the organizational structure as it pertains to reporting to Spanos is thus in the air at this point as the team remains one to watch with the offseason on the horizon.

DECEMBER 20: Although Jim Harbaugh wrapped his playing career after the 2001 season, his last NFL action came with the Chargers in 2000. Dean Spanos was in place as Chargers CEO at that point. More than 20 years later, the subject of a reunion continues to come up.

Harbaugh being connected to NFL teams is not exactly new, as the Michigan HC has regularly been tied to a return to the pros. He interviewed with the Broncos this year and the Vikings in 2022. The Chargers sent out a feeler to Harbaugh recently, and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz follows up the team is indeed interested in bringing the successful HC back to the NFL.

It is not known if Harbaugh is interested in coming to Los Angeles, but even as he in talks with Michigan on another extension, aspirations of returning to the NFL continue to surface. As for the Chargers’ willingness to give Harbaugh or another high-profile HC autonomy they would likely seek, the organization appears to be at a proving ground during this HC hiring period.

The Bolts have a history of not authorizing big salaries for HCs, and John Spanos — Dean’s son — resides as the team’s president of football operations. Pointing to John Spanos not being eager to relinquish certain control that could be required to land a heavy hitter like Harbaugh or Bill Belichick, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora classifies such a hire as unlikely. An anonymous GM told La Canfora that Belichick would clash with John Spanos, while also casting doubt about Harbaugh’s fit.

Pointing to Chargers sensitivity about a perception they are unwilling to spend what it takes, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes a Harbaugh-to-L.A. scenario or a Belichick trade should not be dismissed. The Chargers have not landed a big-name coach in more than 20 years. After hiring Marty Schottenheimer in 2002, the Bolts have gone with Norv Turner, Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn and Brandon Staley. Three of those were first-timers, while Turner went 1-for-9 in playoff berths while in Washington and Oakland. With Dean Spanos’ statement upon firing Staley and GM Tom Telesco indicating the organization wants to reimagine its process en route to building a hopeful championship team, the overhaul may need to include his son’s role.

After its batch of rookie HCs came up short, L.A.’s AFC team is believed to want a proven option. Harbaugh also may be viewed as a better fit internally compared to Belichick. The Bolts have been connected to Lions OC Ben Johnson, as other teams will be, but that would represent a similar hire to those on which the organization signed off under Telesco .

Although obviously buoyed by his name, John Spanos began his rise as a Chargers scout. After a stint from 2008-13 as director of college scouting, Spanos ascended to VP of football operations. He has been in the football ops president role since 2015.

“I would talk to Tom or Brandon almost every day. I think my background only helps me in sort of being able to kind of evaluate where we are and really helps me in working with the head coach and GM,” John Spanos said, via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper (subscription required). “But I’m not making the decisions on, ‘Hey, coach, you have to start this player.’ Right? I’ve never done that. My dad’s never done that. We’ve never gone down and said, ‘You’ve got to run this play.’ Or, ‘Hey, you have to draft this player.’

“I believe in working together with them. I’m very involved. Because of my background, and I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to work on the lowest level of the organization to where I am now, I think it helps me in working with people.”

It is unclear if the Chargers are prepared to give their next head coach a significant say in personnel matters. A Staley-driven effort to reload the defense in 2022 brought in the likes of Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day. The Chargers indeed have spent the seventh-most cash over the past two years, per Spotrac, though defensive improvement proved elusive. Justin Herbert‘s $52.5MM-per-year extension is on the team’s books through 2029.

The Chargers will look into whether they need to be more transactional, per Breer, with regards to in-season trades or dealing picks for talent. Whether player expenses will lead to the team giving its HC more influence remains to be seen.

“Taking a step back and looking at everything and being willing to consider all possibilities, meaning consider setup, structure, qualities in coaches, qualities in GMs, backgrounds of coaches, backgrounds of GMs — reimagining, really, the entire structure and setup,” Spanos said (via Popper). “And reimagining doesn’t mean making a dramatic change and saying, ‘OK, we’re going to go in this direction and do the opposite of what we’ve done.’ It’s just really reflecting and self-evaluating and make sure we give ourselves the best chances for success.”

Coaching agents have contacted the Spanoses regarding their respective clients’ interest in the job and getting the best out of Herbert, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Staley’s attitude was also perceived in some league circles as cocky, per Russini. The defensive specialist became the first Chargers HC fired in-season since Kevin Gilbride in 1998.

Harbaugh, 59, would not exactly be a step back in that department. The strong-willed coach ruffled feathers consistently in San Francisco, engaging in a power struggle with then-GM Trent Baalke, and has been suspended twice during this latest Michigan season. Given the opportunity to coach Herbert, however, probably would entice the nine-year Wolverines HC. While Harbaugh has returned to Ann Arbor after two efforts to come back to the NFL, the Chargers represent an interesting opportunity. Would this lower-key team be the right fit for a Harbaugh comeback?

Latest On Chargers’ Upcoming HC Search

December 17th, 2023 at 10:24pm CST by Rory Parks

The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley on Friday after an embarrassing loss to the division-rival Raiders. Even before the firing, there was already plenty of speculation as to who the club’s next head coach would be, as it became increasingly clear that Staley would not be retained for the 2024 season. Now that Staley is officially out, that speculation has naturally ramped up.

Of course, legendary Patriots HC Bill Belichick has been rumored as a possible target for the Bolts, and Armando Salguero of Outkick.com acknowledges that the connection makes plenty of sense. The last three head coaches the club has hired were first-timers, and Salguero says the team wants a proven leader. Belichick certainly fits that description, and his hiring could generate excitement for a team that has struggled to create much of a connection to Los Angeles fans since moving from San Diego.

And assuming Belichick leaves New England at season’s end, he will not want to go to a rebuilding club or one without a top-flight quarterback. The two other teams who have fired their head coaches this year, the Raiders and Panthers, would not necessarily offer Belichick — who will turn 72 in April — the chance to win right away. The Chargers, on the other hand, have a Pro Bowl-caliber QB in place in Justin Herbert and a fair amount of talent on both sides of the ball, and as Salguero writes, the team wants to stop wasting Herbert’s prime years and wants to bring in a coach who knows how to maximize a signal-caller’s abilities.

However, Salguero hears that there is resistance to a Belichick pursuit within the organization, and one of the reasons for such resistance is the fact that Belichick would want to remake the franchise as he sees fit. That would include, perhaps, displacing president of football operations John Spanos, son of owner Dean Spanos. Salguero’s sources believe it is unlikely that Belichick would agree to leave the team’s current infrastructure in place and report to John Spanos, so the fit between Belichick and the Chargers may not be as perfect as it might appear.

Salguero also hears that Jim Harbaugh could be a more viable candidate for the post. A recent report said that a “Spanos family confidant” reached out to people connected to Harbaugh to gauge his interest, and while Harbaugh is rumored to want a great deal of control over football operations should he jump back into the professional ranks, Salguero believes the former 49ers HC may be more amenable than Belichick to keeping the Bolts’ current front office framework in place.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says the Chargers’ job is a coveted one, primarily due to the presence of Herbert. He reports that the team will keep an open mind with respect to its impending HC search and will consider CEO-style coaches along with those who would double as the offensive or defensive coordinator. Rapoport names Cowboys DC Dan Quinn and Lions OC Ben Johnson — both of whom are expected to be among the hottest names in the 2024 hiring cycle — as realistic candidates.

Recent reports have suggested that there is mutual interest between Johnson and the Chargers, though it is worth noting that the 37-year-old has never served as a head coach before. Quinn, meanwhile, spent over five years as the Falcons’ head coach and came up heartbreakingly short of winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl during his second season at the helm.

Latest On Jim Harbaugh

December 15th, 2023 at 5:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers have joined the Raiders and Panthers by making an in-season head coach firing. That adds them to the list of clubs on the lookout for a replacement during (or in advance of) a hiring cycle which figures to have a few big-name candidates.

One of those could be Jim Harbaugh. The former 49ers bench boss has not been in the NFL since he took charge of Michigan in 2015. A new deal with the Wolverines could be in play, something which would mark an end to the latest round of speculation pointing to an NFL return. People around the league remain convinced Harbaugh does have his eyes on the pro ranks, though, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes.

Harbaugh has been met with two separate three-game suspensions this season, but Michigan’s sign-stealing scheme is not believed to be a hindrance to his prospects of taking an NFL job. Once again, the 59-year-old has been connected to a number of openings with his future in question. Reports have pointed to a 2024 return, but no firm decision has been made at this point.

On that note, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Harbaugh will wait until after the upcoming College Football Playoff has concluded. Ranked No. 1 in the country, the Wolverines have a strong chance of winning a national title for the first time under Harbaugh, who could pursue unfinished business by returning to the NFL. He led to 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, but came up short of a Lombardi Trophy during his four-year tenure in San Francisco.

Still, Harbaugh’s track record in the NFL, along with his stints at Stanford and Michigan, have made him a high-profile coaching candidate. He interviewed with the Vikings in 2022, and met with the Broncos before any other HC prospect in Denver’s search this offseason. That process was followed by a new commitment to remaining at Michigan, but Harbaugh has unsurprisingly been linked to numerous openings – both amongst teams which have a vacancy and those which are presumed to make a change this offseason – around the league.

Prior to dismissing Staley earlier today, the Chargers showed informal interest. Outkick’s Armando Salguero reports a “Spanos family confidant” reached out to people connected to Harbaugh before reporting back to the Chargers’ owners. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of that backdoor inquiry with Los Angeles now on the lookout for a new coach.

Unlike coordinators currently under contract in the NFL, Harbaugh is a candidate not subject to the rules related to when prospective coaches are allowed to be interviewed for HC positions. As a result, he can agree to join an NFL staff at any time, though his attention will remain on Michigan’s title hopes in the coming weeks. In any event, Harbaugh’s name will remain on the front burner for the time being.

Michigan Extension In Play For Jim Harbaugh

December 7th, 2023 at 1:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jim Harbaugh‘s NFL return has moved toward evergreen status as a late-season or early-offseason talking point, but after the Michigan HC’s two-suspension 2023, rumblings of this hiring period finally being the one in which he returns have been steady.

But Harbaugh NFL momentum has previously led to Michigan extensions. That plot may reform once again. Harbaugh and Michigan have resumed talks on an extension, according to Yahoo.com’s Dan Wetzel, who reports the ninth-year Wolverines HC’s salary would eclipse $11MM per year on this deal. The sides are negotiating a five-year agreement, though that component is not too relevant regarding any Harbaugh aspirations to return to the NFL. Harbaugh signed extensions in each of the past two years. Barring language that prevents Harbaugh from speaking with NFL teams, another extension would merely delay more talk of the fiery HC’s return to the league for a bit.

Harbaugh has been embroiled in controversy this season, but his second three-game suspension served during the campaign – stemming from Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal – has not done too much to deter teams from looking into the former 49ers HC. The NCAA still may punish Harbaugh further for his alleged role in the scandal. Harbaugh has also been away from the NFL for almost a decade. As the extensions with his alma mater keep piling up, the more difficult it will be to envision Harbaugh making a move back to the professional ranks.

The former Super Bowl HC has interviewed with NFL teams in each of the past two offseasons. He met about the Vikings’ job in 2023 but was never offered the position. Harbaugh then became the first candidate to interview for the Broncos’ gig this year. That keyed an up-and-down process. Harbaugh interviewed with Denver’s new ownership group on Jan. 9; on Jan. 16, he agreed to stay at Michigan. But he then met with Broncos CEO Greg Penner in late January in Ann Arbor. That meeting did not produce an agreement, as the Broncos soon finalized a trade for Sean Payton’s rights.

The Raiders, who gave Harbaugh his first coaching job (as quarterbacks coach under Bill Callahan), have been rumored as a team that will have interest. Harbaugh, 59, would also have a chance to interview before current NFL staffers, who are now prevented from speaking with teams until after the divisional round. The other team with a vacancy, Carolina, may not be a fit due to a potential for Harbaugh to seek full personnel control.

Despite the controversy this year brought, Harbaugh has the Wolverines entrenched as one of college football’s top programs. Michigan has qualified for the College Football Playoff for a third straight year, beating rival Ohio State in each of those campaigns. The Wolverines received the No. 1 position in the CFP hierarchy this year and will match up with Alabama on New Year’s Day. It is possible that game will take place with assurances Harbaugh will not be testing the NFL waters, something that has eluded the Wolverines for the past two years.

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