Where could Jim Harbaugh be heading in 2024 and beyond?
Following the Michigan Wolverines‘ 34-13 victory over the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football National Championship game, Jim Harbaugh’s eyes could very well now be on the NFL.
Now that he’s secured college football’s biggest prize, Harbaugh may now be ready to chase the one that got away…a Super Bowl.
If Harbaugh’s headed to the NFL this fall, let’s take a look at the five best landing spots for the former San Francisco 49ers head ball coach.
3. New England Patriots
Following the footsteps of the (according to many) of the greatest head coach in NFL history, Bill Belichick as well as returning the Patriots to glory following a rough patch after Tom Brady’s departure could be intriguing to a Football historian in Jim Harbaugh. The most cap space in the league, the third overall pick, and a more-than-ready-to-compete defense, coupled with a culture that Michigan’s mirrored during his tenure, New England could be an attractive destination for Harbaugh.
2. Atlanta Falcons
An offense that boasts skill players like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London, coupled with Pro Bowlers Jessie Bates III and AJ Terrell leading the way on defense, the Atlanta Falcons could very well be an attractive option for Jim Harbaugh. It doesn’t hurt that if Harbaugh doesn’t believe in Desmond Ridder as his future signal caller, the Falcons hold the eight pick in this coming April’s NFL Draft, in addition to a plethora of mid round picks if they feel the need to move up to acquire a star QB in the draft.
1. Los Angeles Chargers
A franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, playmakers galore in Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Mike Williams (F/A), and Austin Ekeler (F/A), and the fifth overall pick in this coming April’s NFL Draft, coupled with being in the limelight in Los Angeles, California, there may be no better place than the Chargers for Harbaugh.
It was reported during the National Championship Game that the Chargers were prepared to go all in to bring in Harbaugh, this off-season, and more on that story can be found by clicking here.
Jim Harbaugh’s Successful Reign with Michigan
Following a 44-19-1 run with the San Francisco 49ers, which included three trips to the NFC Championship Game as well as a narrow loss to brother, John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, Jim Harbaugh went back to the college ranks and was named head coach of the Michigan Wolverines prior to the 2015 season.
Harbaugh saw immediate success in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines went 10-3 and dominated the Florida Gators in the Citrus Bowl to the tune of a 41-7 victory. However, it wasn’t all roses for Harbaugh and co. as the Wolverines wouldn’t win another bowl game until this past weekend’s Rose Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide. During the down period in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh did finally get over the Ohio State road-bump, and now has the Wolverines on a three-game winning streak in ‘The Game.’
As previously mentioned, the Wolverines finally won their second bowl game during the Harbaugh regime, which included their first College Football Playoff win in their aforementioned Rose Bowl victory over Nick Saban and the Tide. If the National Championship game is Harbaugh’s ‘Last Dance’ with Michigan, he’d go out with a 89-25 record which culminated with leading the Wolverines to their first National Championship win since 1997 (first sole championship since 1947), as the school were co-national champions alongside Nebraska in ’97.
For More NFL and College Football News:
Follow me on Twitter/X @ColbyPW! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in NFL and College Football news, click here!