ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh’s family and friends have been encouraging him to take the University of Michigan head coaching job.
However, sources close to the situation say that Harbaugh is torn about the idea because “his heart is in the NFL.”
According to Schefter, Harbaugh would like to see all of his head coaching opportunities before deciding on the Michigan job.
The problem here is that Michigan may not be able to wait that long, as they will have to get working on recruiting and line up contingency options if he should elect to remain in the NFL.
Sources tell Schefter that this leaves both sides in a “tough and delicate spot,” even though there is “mutual interest” in him taking the job.
It’s worth mentioning that Harbaugh’s agent, Dave Dunn, reportedly “has a good sense of realistic NFL options already.”
Michigan is reportedly offering him a six-year deal worth close to $49 million, so there is question whether he will be able to do better than that in the NFL.
“If he wants to stay in the NFL, who will pay him $8 million per year?,” one Michigan source wondered Friday.
One of the sticking points that has come up in regards Harbaugh taking a new job is his wife’s preference to remain on the west coast. Although this issue may have been overstated, as Schefter reports that Harbaugh’s wife also is said to be “open and on board to him going back to Ann Arbor if that’s what he wants.”
The other reported concern for Harbaugh was that he doesn’t want to get back into the routine of recruiting players around the country, but Schefter has spoken to sources that have said this really isn’t an issue for him.
Harbaugh will likely have to make a decision regarding this opportunity by the end of the month, according to Schefter.
We’ll have more updates regarding Harbaugh as the news is available.
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