Jim Harbaugh's NFL Return Looms Amid Controversy at Michigan
Despite recent suspensions and ongoing investigations, the Michigan head coach's successful track record and strong fan base support could make him a hot commodity in the upcoming NFL hiring cycle.
- Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is closing out a controversial season in pursuit of an elusive national championship, but the spotlight isn’t expected to dim after the season.
- Harbaugh has flirted with a return to the NFL sidelines over the past two offseasons, and there’s a belief that teams will continue pursuing him during the upcoming hiring cycle.
- Harbaugh’s credentials are complicated, high-ranking team executives around the league said. While he’s a proven winner who can create a strong culture in the locker room, Harbaugh has a reputation for having contentious relationships with front-office personnel.
- Harbaugh has served two separate suspensions — one self-imposed from Michigan for recruiting violations and another from the Big Ten relating to the program’s sign-stealing scandal — which has only furthered the notion the 60-year-old could be inclined to find a fresh start in the NFL.
- Harbaugh has leverage, assuming he isn’t worried about future ramifications from school and NCAA investigations. He has established Michigan as a consistent national powerhouse, and it surely appears he has the backing of the fan base despite the suspensions.
Bleacher Report 
New York Post 