Jim Harbaugh should top of every NFL team’s list of coach candidates

By final depend, there are 5 head coach openings throughout the NFL. Relying on what the New England Patriots determine to do with Invoice Belichick, that quantity might quickly attain six.

If the Pats are good, they’ll guarantee it does. As a result of the most popular teaching candidate in a very long time might be hitting the open market, and it gained’t be the six-time Tremendous Bowl champion coach they’ll be seeking to substitute.

After main Michigan to its first nationwide championship since 1997, Jim Harbaugh appears more likely to bolt the school recreation for the professionals. And when he does, each staff in want of a coach must be banging down his door for an interview.

Harbaugh, 60, isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, however he’s a winner and his resume speaks for itself. He’s had success at actually each cease. Six 10-win seasons in 9 years at Michigan, culminating on this yr’s 15-0 document and nationwide championship. He broke the single-season wins document at Stanford, going 12-1 his closing yr in 2010. And in contrast to so many “faculty coaches,” he can do it within the execs. Harbaugh went 44-19 in 4 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, reaching the playoffs three time and main them to Tremendous Bowl 47.

That’s earlier than we get to how a lot his gamers and employees love him. As responsible as Michigan gave the impression to be within the sign-stealing scandal, the staff rallied round Harbaugh’s three-game suspension and handled the coach like a martyr. Interim coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was in tears talking about how a lot he liked Harbaugh after their first win with out him. The complete staff spoke glowingly of how they wished to proceed profitable for him.

I witnessed it firsthand, after their second recreation with out Harbaugh, when the right season practically got here to a disappointing finish towards Maryland. I assumed the power the staff devoted to the pinnacle coach was unsustainable, detrimental even. A possible distraction. I didn’t suppose his trigger was price placing a lot ardour behind. However to them it was. He was. They usually saved profitable. They gained all of it.

For years, it all the time appeared like Harbaugh was flirting with the thought of returning to the NFL. And he all the time had a staff or two prepared to entertain what was doubtless solely a play for leverage in negotiations with Michigan. This time, although, the rumors really feel actual. The NCAA is respiration down his neck. School soccer is totally completely different than it was when he began. All indicators level to now being the time he makes the bounce. Any staff even remotely uncertain about their present head coach must be in scorching pursuit.

Harbaugh has made each staff he’s ever coached higher.