John Harbaugh Addresses Brother Jim’s Coaching Future at Michigan

The Ravens coach didn’t give very clear answers about his brother’s potential return to the NFL.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh once again went through the process of interviewing for an NFL head coaching position, but once again decided to remain in Ann Arbor.

His brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, spoke about Jim’s future at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday.

The longtime Baltimore coach didn’t give the most definitive answer as to whether or not his brother will try to return to the NFL again someday.

“I don’t know,” the elder Harbaugh brother said. “I feel like, again, you talk about providence too, and it’s good work; I think he’s really good about that. He talked about, ‘Make no oath for the future.’ I think he’s honest about that. That’s probably the difference with him and all these other guys who act like they’re not open about opportunities that come along. Jim is open about it.”

Jim Harbaugh’s Future In NFL?

John Harbaugh Makes BOLD Prediction @chatsports | #GoBlue 👇 pic.twitter.com/P0rDblxsT1

— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) March 2, 2023

But, seconds later, John answered the question by saying he could maybe see his younger brother being at Michigan for good. Once again, his answer isn’t very clear.

“So, I think he’s at Michigan for life, probably, but then again, maybe God’s got other plans,” John said. “So, we’ll see.”

It sounds like the future of Jim’s coaching career—and specifically a potential return to the NFL—is still uncertain, based on his brother’s response.

Jim coached the 49ers from 2011 to ’14 before taking the Michigan job, where he’s remained since ‘15. He interviewed for the Broncos job in January, but he dropped out of the running before Sean Payton was given the role. The previous year, Harbaugh interviewed for the Vikings role as well.

Just on Thursday, Harbaugh noted that the NFL’s interest in him and Michigan is an “ongoing, positive thing.”