NFL Oakland Raiders

With Jim Harbaugh Reportedly Returning To Michigan, Oakland Raiders Need A Backup Plan

Fresh Videos

By @Kevin_Saito

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The speculation about the status and future of soon-to-be former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been rampant since the beginning of the season. As the 49ers have struggled to a terribly disappointing season that will end without a postseason berth, that speculation has only intensified. Despite Harbaugh’s alma mater, the University of Michigan, making a serious run at hiring him after firing Brady Hoke, many believed that he would prefer to stay in the NFL, with the most frequent landing spot mentioned being just across the Bay with the Oakland Raiders.

However, multiple recent reports are casting a lot of doubt about where Harbaugh is going to be coaching in 2015.

Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, in an article published today, is reporting that Harbaugh is expected to take Michigan’s six-year, $48 million contract offer to return to his old stomping grounds in Ann Arbor, MI. One of Cole’s sources, speaking anonymously about Harbaugh’s apparently imminent return to the college ranks, said:

“That’s what everybody on staff believes is going to happen this week. Jim has figured out that his style is best suited for the college game. His shtick works better with young guys who are gone after three or four years.”

In addition to the reports saying Harbaugh is set to accept the Michigan job shortly after the 49ers’ season concludes after the game with the Arizona Cardinals, he is expected to take members of his San Francisco staff with him to Ann Arbor, specifically longtime assistants Reggie Davis and John Morton.

The news that Harbaugh is spurning the NFL to return to college may comes as a bit of a surprise and a complete disappointment to Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has been by far, his biggest suitor. But it also underscores the point that Davis never should have put all of his eggs into the Harbaugh basket to begin with.

If the reports turn out to be true, it will force Davis to rethink his offseason plans, as well as the direction of his club moving forward. Perhaps he will look to removing the interim tag from Tony Sparano‘s title, which, given the sentiments expressed by current members of the roster, would be a popular move with a lot of players.

Of course, Harbaugh is still expected to meet with representatives from the Raiders, as well as other NFL clubs looking, who will be looking for a head coach when the regular season concludes. The reports about his impending acceptance of the Michigan job could be nothing more than a point of leverage to pry a better deal out of whatever NFL club lands him. And given what seems to be a reversal of his stance on returning the college ranks – he’s previously stated his dislike of recruiting and dealing with alumni – it’s entirely possible that this is a leverage ploy. We’ll know about a week from now.

With Jon Gruden and now, if the reports are accurate, Harbaugh out of the head coaching mix, Mark Davis is going to need to make a sound decision rather than just a flashy hire for his club – which can only benefit the team and the organization in the long run.

Kevin Saito is a fiction writer, sports junkie, history nerd, and NFL contributor to www.RantSports.com  Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on