Michigan's Jim Harbaugh could be interested in NFL return: report

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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh could be eyeing a return to the NFL after the Wolverines’ comeback season came to a heartbreaking end with a loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, according to a report. 

Sources told The Athletic that Harbaugh could be tempted to leave the program, possibly landing with the Las Vegas Raiders or the Chicago Bears. 

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"I think it’s real," one source said. 

Michinga coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline during the Wisconsin game in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with a major pay cut last January after the Wolverines went 2-4 in hopes of turning things around – and of course, beating rival Ohio State.

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Michigan was unranked to start this season. It didn’t crack the Top 10 until October and then made it all the way to No. 2 in the polls. They finally beat the Buckeyes and a team picked to finish fourth when the season started – that is, fourth in the Big Ten East – ended up as one of the last four teams standing in the race for the national title.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with his team after the Big Ten championship game against Iowa, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

"To me, it feels like a start," Harbaugh said after a gut-wrenching 32-11 loss to Georgia over the weekend. "Feels like a beginning."

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Harbaugh has ties to both the Bears and Raiders, as a player and coach. He got his start as quarterback in the NFL under Mike Ditka from 1987-92 and was the quarterback coach in Oakland in 2002 and 2003.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh leaves the field after the San Francisco 49ers' win over the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 28, 2014, in Santa Clara, California.   (Don Feria/Getty Images)

He has also proven himself to be a successful head coach in the NFL, taking the San Francisco 49ers to three straight NFC championship games from 2011-2013. In 17 seasons as a head coach in college and the NFL, Harbaugh is 156-65 (70%).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.