Report: Potential return to Colts as head coach for Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh ‘could be very tempting’

In accordance with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Nicole Auerbach, Austin Meek, and Nick Kosmider, it’s a ‘executed deal’ that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will return to the NFL if he will get a bona fide supply.

Particularly, amongst potential NFL locations a ‘return to the Colts may very well be very tempting’:

“Over the previous two seasons, Harbaugh has proven that he has continued to evolve as a head coach and his program has made a dramatic turnaround,” Feldman writes. “UM was an enormous favourite getting into its School Soccer Playoff semifinal recreation final weekend in opposition to TCU, however bought upset, and now with NFL groups as soon as once more giving the 58-year-old Harbaugh sturdy consideration, his subsequent transfer will probably be fascinating to observe. A return, maybe to the Denver Broncos or his outdated staff, the Indianapolis Colts, may very well be very tempting.”

It comes only a day after a latest report from the NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, which indicated that Colts staff proprietor Jim Irsay “has an affinity” for Harbaugh as a possible head teaching candidate this offseason:

“Irsay additionally has an affinity for Harbaugh, who’s a member of the staff’s Ring of Honor as a participant, although it’s unclear whether or not that match would make sense for both facet,” Rapoport writes. “The Colts have a standard construction, with the pinnacle coach reporting to the GM, and the GM to the proprietor; that doesn’t determine to vary, which gained’t enchantment to teaching candidates who need extra management.”

After returning Michigan right into a soccer powerhouse program once more (as a 2x Huge Ten Champion)—and having simply made the latest 4 staff school soccer playoff, the 58 yr outdated Harbaugh seems as if he could be simply persuaded into rejoining the NFL ranks.

Actually, he was practically employed because the Minnesota Vikings head coach final offseason.

Harbaugh final coached within the NFL through the 2014 season. Throughout his four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, he by no means had a shedding document and made the playoffs in three of his 4 seasons—together with 8 complete playoff wins, together with his west coast professional teaching tenure highlighted by a Tremendous Bowl look in 2012.

Not solely was ‘Captain Comeback’ a former fiery beginning quarterback for the Colts (1994-97), however he led Indianapolis to the AFC Title Recreation in 1995 and was later inducted into the franchise’s illustrious ‘Ring of Honor’ in 2005.

Whereas others might argue that the Denver Broncos are the extra attractive alternative, I’d really argue the Colts are between the 2 potential vacancies. Not like the Broncos, the Colts could have their High 5 choose and be capable of choose a younger high quarterback prospect to mould, whereas Denver is tied to a seemingly (actually) past-his-prime Russell Wilson.

Moreover, Harbaugh actually likes to run the soccer, and the Colts have NFL All-Professional operating again Jonathan Taylor, whereas the Broncos’ Javonte Williams remains to be recovering from a big knee damage—which incorporates an ACL and PCL tear.

Harbaugh may need to carry alongside longtime veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with him at his subsequent professional cease, who served as his 49ers D.C. from 2011-14. Would Fangio need to return to a company the place he was beforehand head coach and later fired (2019-21)?

However why would Harbaugh go away Ann Arbor totally, given his rising collegiate success and that it’s his alma mater?

Properly, teaching on the professional stage doesn’t require recruiting (which is usually a ache for a lot of distinguished collegiate coaches), and the Colts may additionally probably double Harbaugh’s wage (or not less than considerably enhance it). [Although the Colts are still on the hook for former head coach Frank Reich’s salary, possibly complicating financial matters].

Take into account that Harbaugh’s Michigan wage is round $7M yearly, whereas the NFL’s highest paid coach, the Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay, makes roughly $15-18M per yr.

Given his prior sturdy ties to the Colts franchise, and that he’s a confirmed winner at each the NFL and collegiate ranges, Harbaugh makes a number of sense for Indianapolis. He would offer this staff an instantaneous id, which has been sorely missing in latest seasons.

From a management standpoint, he would stabilize a franchise that desperately wants it proper now.