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What's next for Jim Harbaugh? Michigan coach faces decision on whether to stay or go back to NFL

Mon, Jan 8, 2024
NCAAF News (AP)

HOUSTON (AP) - Michigan's climb back to the summit of college football ended with its 34-13 win over Washington in the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday night.

Next, the Wolverines and their fans wait and see if Jim Harbaugh stays or goes.

Harbaugh deflected all questions about his future during the lead-up to the title game, but decision time is drawing near as at least a half-dozen NFL franchises begin or consider searching for new coaches.

Harbaugh looked into NFL jobs the last two years before deciding to stay at Michigan. It's possible he won't this time, especially with the school facing possible NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations and the sign-stealing scandal that hung over the team all season.

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There is also the question of what's left to accomplish at Michigan for the 60-year-old Harbaugh. The "Michigan Man" did what he set out to do when he left the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 to return to Ann Arbor, where his father was an assistant under Bo Schembechler and where he was a star quarterback in the mid-1980s.

Harbaugh took over a proud program humbled under Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke and has gone 89-25 over nine years, six with at least 10 wins. His only losing record came during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

The last three years mark one of the most dominant periods in the history of the only program to win more than 1,000 games. The Wolverines have gone 40-3, won three straight Big Ten championships, made three consecutive playoff appearances and now are national champions. Harbaugh's father, Jack, and NFL coach brother John watched his moment of triumph inside NRG Stadium.

The Wolverines' 28 wins over the last two years are the most over back-to-back seasons in program history.

Michigan has said it wants to retain Harbaugh but the coach put off contract talks, perhaps a sign he wants to entertain NFL offers.

As glorious a season as it was, the road to 15-0 was bumpy. Harbaugh served a school-imposed, three-game suspension to start the season for the alleged recruiting violations during the pandemic. He also was suspended for the last three regular-season games for violating the Big Ten sportsmanship policy in connection to the sign-stealing scheme blamed on a staffer who resigned during the season.

Michigan fourth-year defensive end Braiden McGregor said Harbaugh is always helpful and happy for players who decide to pursue an NFL career.

"So I think that's the same way we should feel about him," McGregor said before the game. "If that is his decision at the end of the day or he does get a job, happy for him, hopefully he can go win a Super Bowl. But if he comes back, happy that he comes back, let's try to win another natty."

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AP College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo contributed to this report.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

ERIC OLSON Olson is an Associated Press sports writer based in Omaha, Nebraska. He covers Nebraska, Creighton, the Big Ten and national college sports issues. twitter mailto "

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