Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Jim Harbaugh to Remain at Michigan Amid NFL Interest: 'We Have Big Plans Here'

Tyler Conway

Jim Harbaugh has no plans on leaving Michigan for the NFL.

"This is a choreographed message that comes up at this time every year before signing day," Harbaugh told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "It's people spreading messages to further their own personal agenda.

"But I'm on record right here, right now: I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying at Michigan. We have big plans here, and there's a lot we want to accomplish."

NFL teams are interested in luring Harbaugh back into professional football, but Schefter reported Harbaugh has not had contact with any teams. Harbaugh is 38-13 in four seasons at Michigan and will coach the Wolverines against the Florida Gators later this month in the Peach Bowl.

The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with Harbaugh in 2014 amid internal discord. He and general manager Trent Baalke famously butted heads, and 49ers management sided with Baalke. The team fired Baalke after a 2-14 season in 2016.

Harbaugh joined his alma mater in 2014 and instantly returned the Wolverines to national prominence. Michigan has struggled in games against elite opposition, including an 0-4 record against Ohio State, but will finish the season in the Top 25 for the third time in four years. The Wolverines had concluded the regular season in the Top 25 just twice in their previous seven years.

Harbaugh has been mentioned in relation to numerous NFL jobs during his time in Ann Arbor. The most recent rumor came via ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, who reported Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was interested in Harbaugh. The Packers fired coach Mike McCarthy last week.

"I can't be any more clear about this—it's not true," Harbaugh told Schefter. "I'm not going anywhere."

   

Read 0 Comments

Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation

Install the App
×
Bleacher Report
(120K+)