Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is in the midst of preparing for a College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide, just two wins shy of winning a national championship. While the Wolverines are on the doorstep of history, there reportedly remains a chance this will be Harbaugh’s last season in Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh, who turns 60 on Dec. 23, has exceeded expectations at Michigan. Hired as the Wolverines’ coach in 2015, he’s turned Michigan into a perennial playoff contender with three consecutive Big Ten championships. Most importantly, the Wolverines have beaten Ohio State in three consecutive seasons.

Jim Harbaugh NFL coaching record: 44-19-1 in regular season, 5-3 in playoffs
Related: NFL coaching candidates

However, many around football believe Harbaugh has unfinished business in the NFL. He’s already entertained offers to return as a head coach in each of the last two offseasons, but turned around and signed a contract extension with Michigan each time. With the Wolverines in the CFP, however, there could now be a realistic path for Harbaugh to leave on his terms.

Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic said he believes Harbaugh will definitely leave Michigan for an NFL head-coaching job if the Wolverines win a national championship.

• Jim Harbaugh NFL coaching record: 44-19-1 in regular season, 5-3 in playoffs

Related: NFL coaching candidates

However, many around football believe Harbaugh has unfinished business in the NFL. He’s already entertained offers to return as a head coach in each of the last two offseasons, but turned around and signed a contract extension with Michigan each time. With the Wolverines in the CFP, however, there could now be a realistic path for Harbaugh to leave on his terms.

Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic said he believes Harbaugh will definitely leave Michigan for an NFL head-coaching job if the Wolverines win a national championship.

As Feldman went on to explain, Harbaugh left the NFL without obtaining what he really wanted. If he’s able to deliver a national championship for the Wolverines’ football program, Michigan couldn’t offer him the thing he wanted to accomplish next.

“Michigan can’t give him what I think he wants most (the Lombardi Trophy).”

 

Bruce Feldman on why Jim Harbaugh would leave the Michigan Wolverines
If Harbaugh leaves for the NFL in January, Michigan would be far behind in the college football coaching carousel. However, the expectation would be that offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who previously served as interim coach, would take over as the new Michigan football coach in 2024.

While the Wolverines would obviously prefer Harbaugh to return with a new contract extension, ending the season with a national championship would help soften the blow of Harbaugh’s departure.