It didn’t seem to matter how much Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh told the Denver Broncos, ‘No,’ to their pursuit of him as head coach, the Greg Penner-led organization seemed to have the Wolverines’ head man in its sights.
First, Denver spoke to Harbaugh over Zoom, and then he called to tell them he wasn’t coming to the franchise before reaffirming his commitment to Michigan. However, Penner ended up flying out to meet with Harbaugh anyway, where he, again, told him he’s staying in Ann Arbor.
That hadn’t kept the organization, nor the media, from speculating that Harbaugh could end up wearing blue and orange.
Rumors persisted on Tuesday, starting with Ian Rapoport appearing on the Pat McAfee show reporting that Harbaugh was still an option for the NFL franchise.
"Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh are still options for the Denver Broncos"@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/6EH2cB9Dw5
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 31, 2023
The Denver media also hadn’t believed that Harbaugh wasn’t an option, parroting Rapoport on social media.
However, the former of Rapoport’s two mentioned names ended up being the hire, as it was announced Tuesday afternoon that the Broncos are hiring Sean Payton, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
Breaking: Saints and Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN. This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach.
And so Payton is expected to head to Denver as its next HC. pic.twitter.com/HA4RAtE6P8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2023
Harbaugh said multiple times that it was his intention to remain in Ann Arbor, and then he said it with authority after university president Santa Ono declared he was staying. Yet, despite eight years of him remaining as the head coach, doubt arises.
Now, let it be put to rest.
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