Jim Harbaugh coaching rumors: Michigan coach agrees to deal with Chargers, heads back to NFL

The latest developments for Michigan's former coach who led Wolverines to national championship

By Shanna McCarriston

Jan 25, 2024 • 1 min read

Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL. The head coach agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Wednesday. Harbaugh reenters the NFL after a nine-year stint with the University of Michigan, which comes to a close after a national championship-winning season in 2023. The Chargers are locking up Harbaugh with a five-year deal, according to ESPN.

Harbaugh last was in the pros in 2014 when he was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his tenure in the Bay Area, he went 49-22-1 which included a Super Bowl appearance during the 2012 season. Since then and throughout the latter half of his tenure at Michigan, Harbaugh did flirt with return to the NFL by taking interviews with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos in recent years. None of those were able to lure him back, until this latest opportunity to link up with quarterback Justin Herbert in Los Angeles.

On top of the Chargers, Harbaugh was slated to visit the Atlanta Falcons for a second interview, but that has since been canceled with him accepting this job.

With this saga now in the books, you can relive all the action in our live blog below.

No ad available

Live updates

Chargers give Harbaugh five-year deal

As more details emerge about Harbaugh landing in Los Angeles, ESPN reports that the Chargers are giving the head coach a five-year contract. That is a sizable commitment by the organization as coaching contracts in the NFL are guaranteed. Seems to show how serious they were/are to get him aboard.

Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh

After a throughout interview process with the Michigan head coach, the Chargers are nearing a deal to Jim Harbaugh to be the franchise's next head coach, according to CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. Harbaugh was in Los Angeles for his second interview on Tuesday and is now expected to remain in town. This move back to the NFL ends Harbaugh's nine-year run at Michigan, which officially ends with a national championship.

NCAA penalties are sticking point of contract talks

A rule just over 1-year-old impacting Jim Harbaugh's job security is at the heart of contract negotiations that make it more likely the Michigan coach would be charged with major NCAA violations, sources tell CBS Sports.

Under the NCAA's coach responsibility provision that was strengthened on Jan. 1, 2023, Harbaugh would be charged with a Level I violation in the sign-stealing scandal if any member of his staff is found to have committed a Level I violation. The charge itself cannot be argued; however, the severity of the penalty can be debated before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

The Level I finding would remain on Harbaugh's record no matter his level of compliance, monitoring or diligence in the matter.

As Jim Harbaugh negotiates with Chargers, Michigan now willing to grant immunity for NCAA violations

Dennis Dodd

Harbaugh meeting with Chargers on Tuesday

Jim Harbaugh is scheduled to meet with the Chargers in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Harbaugh is the leading candidate. Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could join Harbaugh if he makes the move to the NFL, per Jones.

Harbaugh expected to meet with Chargers again

The Los Angeles Chargers have scheduled a second meeting with Jim Harbaugh for later in the week, according to ESPN. Harbaugh completed his first interview with the franchise a week ago. The Chargers are one of a few franchises in pursuit of the highly coveted Michigan coach; he's also interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons and has a second meeting scheduled for next week. Harbaugh does have deep ties to the state of California, though, dating back to his days as a high school quarterback, so a move back to the West Coast could be enticing.

Second interview scheduled with Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have scheduled a second interview with Harbaugh for next week, according to NFL Media. Arthur Blank seems to be finely combing through the candidate pool as former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick also had a second interview with the organization. The two sides initially met in person on Tuesday.

'Passing of the torch'

Of course, whenever Harbaugh gets in front of a microphone these days, his comments will be dissected to an extreme degree. On Friday during a March for Life event in Washington D.C., the coach was asked about what he's been doing since winning the national championship. Harbaugh noted that he is "getting ready for next season," but his comment about "passing the torch" has led some to speculate about his potential departure to the NFL. Could "passing the torch" mean that he is off to the pros? Or could it merely refer to the passing of the torch to this new Michigan team for the 2024 collegiate season? We'll only truly know when a decision is reached.

Michigan candidates if Harbaugh leaves

Michigan intends to cast a wide net in its search to replace Jim Harbaugh ... if it ultimately needs to replace Jim Harbaugh. Perhaps, though, that net will need not extend much further than then end of Schembechler Hall.

Who are we kidding? If Harbaugh heads to the NFL -- given his numerous interviews, it appears as if that might be an inevitability -- there is one name clearly atop a list of potential replacements: offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore. In his sixth season at Michigan, Moore was already a rising star before he took over as acting coach for four games this past season, including wins over Ohio State and Penn State.

Michigan coaching candidates: Sherrone Moore, Brian Kelly among top options with Jim Harbaugh leaving for NFL

Dennis Dodd

Harbaugh interviews with Atlanta

Jim Harbaugh has joined the list of coaches who have interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons job. Here's the full list:

Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald
Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan
San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks
Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero
Baltimore Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Anthony Weaver
Former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick
University of Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

The Falcons parted ways with Arthur Smith after three losing seasons. The season-ending defeat to New Orleans capped Atlanta's third consecutive 7-10 season under Smith, who was hired away from the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2021 campaign.

NFL head coach, GM interview tracker: Dan Quinn reaches deal with Commanders, Seahawks hire Mike Macdonald

Josh Edwards

John Harbaugh explains why NFL teams want brother Jim

John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, knows Jim Harbaugh better than almost anyone. So when asked on The Adam Schefter Podcast about what makes his younger brother appealing to NFL teams, Harbaugh had an answer locked and loaded. "He may be the best team builder in football right now," the elder Harbaugh said. "Nobody builds a team better. He knows how to put it together, top to bottom."

Jim Harbaugh to NFL? Ravens' John Harbaugh explains why brother is widely sought after in league circles

Jared Dubin

Jim Harbaugh seeking protection if he stays

Jim Harbaugh is requesting contractual protection from potential NCAA punishment amid negotiations with Michigan as he simultaneously pursues NFL opportunities, according to Yahoo Sports. Harbaugh, 60, just led Michigan to its first national championship since 1997, but it was a tumultuous season off the field marked by two separate three-game suspensions for the Wolverines alum. He could still face NCAA repercussions in both matters.

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh seeking termination protection in potential new contract amid NCAA probes, per report

David Cobb

Harbaugh completes interview with Chargers

The Chargers have officially met with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh about the franchise's vacancy. It'll be fascinating to see what the next stages are with this potential pairing as L.A. is arguably the top job on the market given that it comes with quarterback Justin Herbert. That said, Harbaugh is also one of the most sought-after coaches as well.

Harbaugh meets with Chargers

Harbaugh's official overtures with the NFL have begun. The Michigan coach completed an interview with the Los Angeles Chargers Monday afternoon, the Chargers announced. The Chargers, who fired coach Brandon Staley 14 games into his third year with the franchise, have long been one of the top teams to watch in regards to Harbaugh. He has deep ties to the state of California dating back to his days as a high school quarterback. He played for the Chargers when they were in San Diego from 1999-2000, got his head coaching career started at the University of San Diego, earned his first major appointment at Stanford and, of course, coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14.

Weighing the future

The journey (to a national title) took nine long years. It took trying to win (big) with quarterbacks named John O'Korn and Jake Rudock. It took breaking an eight-game losing streak against Ohio State that started before Harbaugh arrived but ended on his watch in 2021, the season after COVID-19. That was also after Harbaugh agreed to having his salary cut. He bet on himself by staying while simultaneously continuing to show NFL interest.

That interest hasn't waned until Harbaugh says out loud that he's staying for good. Meanwhile, the university reportedly has a nine-figure extension on the table ready to be signed.

With sun shining on Michigan again, Jim Harbaugh must find his motivation: potential dynasty or Super Bowl?

Dennis Dodd

Breaking down the potential landing spots

Jim Harbaugh has flirted with a return to the NFL for years. But now, with a national championship under his belt, the Michigan head coach could finally be primed to make the leap back. Harbaugh has repeatedly deflected questions about a potential move, but he's already been linked to several NFL openings while reportedly hiring famed agent Don Yee ahead of the 2024 offseason.

Where, exactly, could the former 49ers coach land if he opts to rejoin his brother, John, in the NFL ranks? Here are three logical destinations, including a full-on return to the West Coast:

Jim Harbaugh landing spots: Top three logical 2024 NFL destinations for Michigan head coach

Cody Benjamin

Michigan AD opens up on Harbaugh's future

UM athletic director Warde Manuel, who was richly rewarded for his decision to stand by Harbaugh after a particularly rough 2-4 season in 2020, understands the reality of the situation. Speaking with reporters on the field at NRG Stadium in Houston after Michigan's victory over the Huskies, he was blunt in addressing Harbaugh's future.

"He's always going to be somebody I'm proud of who coached the University of Michigan, who led this team," Manuel said. "And if he decides that he wants another opportunity to coach in the pros, then I'm going to be happy for him. Sad for us. We're going to move on and find the next person to lead. But I want him to stay at Michigan. I've said it. I believed it three, 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."

Michigan AD addresses Jim Harbaugh's future amid potential NFL jump: 'I want to keep him as our coach'

Will Backus

A decision primer

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's NFL flirtations are a staple of college football's offseason news cycle. Now that the athletic calendar turns to the 2024 season following Michigan's 34-13 win against Washington in Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship, those talks are sure to heat up once again.

But after leading Michigan to the top of the mountain for the first time since the BCS era began, would Harbaugh actually leave now? Here's a breakdown of the key factors at play in a pending decision.

Will Jim Harbaugh return to NFL? Michigan coach faces decision after national championship win

Will Backus

NFL teams are already sniffing around

According to NFL Media, multiple NFL teams have been making calls and gathering information on Harbaugh. The 60-year-old recently hired agent Don Yee, according to ESPN, who represents big names in professional football such as Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

NFL Media reports that the Los Angeles Chargers are believed to be a team that would consider speaking with Harbaugh, and the Las Vegas Raiders are another that "might" speak with him as well. The Carolina Panthers on the other hand are reportedly unlikely to pursue Harbaugh.

Multiple NFL teams making calls, gathering information on Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, per report

Jordan Dajani

New Michigan contract on the table

Harbaugh is weighing a massive contract offer to stay in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that contains a huge catch. The university is presenting Harbaugh a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid coach in college football but would preclude him from pursuing an NFL job for the 2024 season, according to NFL Network.

While the clause limiting NFL interest would only last one season, it's apparently been enough to prevent the two sides from reaching an agreement. The Wolverines' contract proposal is for 10 years and $125 million, which would eclipse Dabo Swinney's $115 million contract for the biggest in college football history.

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh weighing $125 million contract extension offer that carries no-NFL clause, per report

Shehan Jeyarajah