Jim Harbaugh Coaching Rumors: Everything We Know

After a whirlwind of a speculation-filled offseason, Harbaugh will be returning to Ann Arbor for his ninth season.

After weeks of speculation regarding a potential move to the NFL—and some curiously non-committal tweets about his standing with the school—Jim Harbaugh is staying put at Michigan.

The Wolverines coach will return to Ann Arbor in 2023 for his ninth season, according to a Monday afternoon tweet from university president Santa Ono.

Jim Harbaugh is staying at Michigan:

"I once heard a wise man say, "Don't try to out-happy, happy." Go Blue!"

〽️: https://t.co/QCAllpssiu pic.twitter.com/dDPzA8EwGy

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 16, 2023

Before Monday’s news, the 59-year-old’s name had been thrown out in regard to multiple NFL teams with open coaching positions. The one he’d been most linked to was the Broncos, who interviewed with Harbaugh last week. Harbaugh reportedly called the Broncos ahead of Ono’s announcement to inform them of his decision.

Harbaugh has been at Michigan since 2015, but before that, he worked as the head coach of the 49ers from 2011 to ’14. His tenure there was very successful, as the team went to three NFC championship games and appeared in the ’12 season Super Bowl, ultimately losing 34–31 to the Ravens.

Last year, Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings but ultimately didn’t earn the role. After it was announced he would stay at Michigan, he seemed set in his decision because of his goal to win a national championship. 

Despite leading the Wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten titles, Harbaugh’s opaque comments about his future at Michigan fanned the flames of speculation. In one statement, Harbaugh said, “I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023,” while in another he expressed “support” for Michigan’s president Santa Ono saying the school has had “very positive and constructive conversations” with him.

Harbaugh is also currently involved in an NCAA investigation regarding Michigan football, multiple sources recently told Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, and charges are expected soon. Athletic director Manuel confirmed that the school received “draft allegations” regarding the football program. One of the potential rules infractions includes a Level I violation committed by Harbaugh after he allegedly didn’t cooperate with NCAA investigators, per Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel. Additionally, four Level II violations are being investigated regarding the team.