REPORT: Jim Harbaugh extends coaching offer to controversial figure

This would certainly be an interesting turn of events...

Matt Lounsberry | Aug 14, 2024

Jun 13, 2024; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh at a press conference during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Michigan Wolverines

Going back to his days as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and certainly during his time at the University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has been something of a controversial figure in the world of sports. That old saying goes, "great minds think alike" but maybe that extends to characters of controversy as well.

On Wednesday, multiple outlets reported that Harbaugh has had discussions with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick — who played for Jim in San Francisco from 2011-14 — about the possibility of Kaepernick joining Harbaugh's coaching staff with the Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh told USA Today's Jarrett Bell he reached out to Kaepernick shortly after leaving college football for his own return to the NFL.

“Yeah, we talked a little bit about it,” Harbaugh said. “He’s considering it. He was out of the country. He said he was going to get back to me. We haven’t reconnected since then. That was early, early in the year.”

Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) chats with head coach Jim Harbaugh before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports / Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Despite not having played in the NFL since 2016, Kaepernick has maintained that he wants to resume his career at the highest level of professional football. The quarterback became a controversial figure himself back in 2016 when he refused to stand for the national anthem ahead of NFL games. With the 49ers planning to release the quarterback following the 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract and became a free agent in 2017. However, the quarterback remained unsigned throughout the offseason. He eventually sued the NFL for collusion and reached an undisclosed settlement.

Kaepernick has maintained that's it been his desire to continue his NFL career ever since. Harbaugh invited Kaepernick to be the honorary captain during Michigan's 2022 spring game and perform a throwing session for NFL scouts during halftime of the game. While it's uncertain if Kaepernick would consider a career in coaching, Harbaugh believes the former quarterback would excel in the field.

“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh told USA Today. “He’d be a tremendous coach, if that’s the path he chose.”

Apr 2, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on as Colin Kaepernick passes during halftime at the Michigan Spring game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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