For a long while, it appeared there was no way Jim Harbaugh would last beyond the 2023 season, especially if Michigan football won the national championship. We’ve even surmised that if that were to happen, he was as good as gone to the NFL.
But, perhaps that’s not reality.
There has been recent buzz around Ann Arbor that Harbaugh could return to the program, despite national pundits giving it about a 0% chance. Harbaugh did, after all, hire agent Don Yee, who is popular in NFL circles. But SI’s Michael Rosenberg noted there’s growing optimism around the program that Harbaugh may sign that contract extension to remain with the Wolverines.
You can throw a little more gasoline on that flame, as John U. Bacon has echoed Rosenberg’s sentiments.
After talking with people who know more than I do, I believe Jim Harbaugh genuinely wants to stay at Michigan. He just "wants to know he's wanted," several told me, and it's not about the number. (He gave back $1.5M to department employees to compensate for Covid cutbacks.)
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) January 13, 2024
Bacon rarely speaks without having a pretty informed idea of what’s going on, as the New York Times bestselling author has written several insider books on the program, including on Michigan landing Harbaugh and the aftermath of his arrival in Ann Arbor.
Now, Harbaugh wanting to stay and the deal getting done are two different stories, but there appears to be more and more smoke emanating from what appeared to be embers more than a fire just a week ago.