OK, Raider Nation.
I know there’s a lot of talk on X about how you want Jim Harbaugh to replace the fired Josh McDaniels as head coach in Las Vegas. And I get that, despite the sign-stealing allegations leveled against Michigan — the last time Harbaugh was a head coach, he won 44 of 64 games with the San Francisco 49ers and took them to a Super Bowl.
There’s just one thing to note, and it has to do with that whole sign-stealing thing.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported earlier this week that “The NFL is unlikely to make itself a safe harbor for Harbaugh to escape what could be substantial NCAA discipline, league sources say, raising the strong possibility Harbaugh would need to serve some or all of any possible suspension he could face in college if he returns to the pros.”
There’s history of this: In 2011, NFL commissioner upheld Terrell Pryor’s Ohio State suspension and did the same with ex-Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel, who had joined the Indianapolis Colts.
“That precedent could prove relevant for Harbaugh,” Rapoport and Pelissero wrote. And what if that suspension is a lengthy one?
Still, Harbaugh’s name was thrown around a lot after the McDaniels firing:
Jim Harbaugh YOU are a Las Vegas Raider https://t.co/2jXZO3pH6s
— đđ – CFB Villian (@A_M_D_16) November 1, 2023
3 names that immediately come to mind for the Raiders job:
Jim Harbaugh
Lou Anarumo
Ben Johnson— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) November 1, 2023
Jim Harbaugh as the next Raiders coach⌠who says no?
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) November 1, 2023
Raiders definitely hiring Jim Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/RawqtZkML2
— Michael đ˛đ˝ (@RespectMyCos) November 1, 2023
Jim Harbaugh sleeping nice tonight knowing he will be in high demand for some vacant HC jobs. I think he would be a good fit for the Raiders old khaki pants
— Mark McMillian (@MarkMcMillian29) November 1, 2023
The only question left is:
Do the Raiders hire Jim Harbaugh this season or this summer?
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) November 1, 2023
Jim Harbaugh amid burgeoning controversy at Michigan taking the helm with the Raiders just seems inevitable. Some type of weird protest & awkward arrange marriage misfits #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/qdQyfh89N7
— Peter Englert (@pdenglert) November 1, 2023