According to Pro Football Focus, the New York Jets are planning to woo Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh back to the NFL in the event of Todd Bowles’ firing.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY—Denied the services of one Harbaugh, the New York Jets may have their sights set on another.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Focus, the Jets are planning to “make a run” at Jim Harbaugh once their 2018 season ends next week. Jim Harbaugh is currently the head football coach at the University of Michigan.
The Jets were previously reported to be all-in on Harbaugh’s brother John, currently the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, if he became available. Thanks to a December surge, the Ravens, current leaders of the AFC North, announced John would return to the helm in 2019.
A former NFL quarterback, Jim is about to wrap up his fourth season with Michigan. He has enjoyed relative success in Ann Arbor, earning three 10-win seasons across a 38-13 record. However, he has been criticized for lack of big wins, including a 0-4 record against rival Ohio State. The Wolverines are set to partake in the upcoming Peach Bowl against Florida on December 29.
Ironically, Jim Harbaugh’s previous coaching tenures each lasted four seasons. After a quartet at Stanford, he spent four more seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Jim’s prior accomplishments include an Orange Bowl victory with the Cardinal in 2011 and an NFC championship with the 49ers two seasons later.
The pursuit of Harbaugh, of course, is dependant on the Jets firing Todd Bowles after the season. Bowles, likewise in his fourth year, fell to 24-39 as the Jets’ head coach after a 44-38 overtime loss to Green Bay on Sunday. If the Jets are to lure him away from college, Florio states that they’re willing to exceed his $7 million yearly salary.
In Peach Bowl preparation, Jim Harbaugh has stated his intentions to remain on the college level.
“I’m on record right here, right now: I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying at Michigan,” Jim said, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “We have big plans here, and there’s a lot we want to accomplish.”
The Jets will wrap up their 2018 season next Sunday on the road, taking on the New England Patriots (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS).
