Jim Harbaugh lines up first HC interview of the year

It sounds like Jim Harbaugh has lined up his first interview of the year. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “it’s believed” that Harbaugh will meet with the Chargers next week about their head coaching vacancy. Those sources also told Pelissero and Ian Rapoport that Harbaugh has “indicated to associates” that he could leave the University of Michigan for the NFL job in Los Angeles.

While NFL assistants need to wait until Jan. 22 for in-person HC interviews, Harbaugh is allowed to interview right away. Many NFL teams with head coaching vacancies have been connected to a potential Harbaugh pursuit, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders. However, it’s been rumors up until this point and it sounds like the Chargers will have the first opportunity to steal Harbaugh away from Michigan.

On the same note, the school is worried about Harbaugh’s potential exit. Pelissero and Rapoport pass along that Michigan has made an effort to sign Harbaugh to a lucrative extension. This offer would come during intense NFL interest, but the two reporters also note that the extension would come “in light of other recent movement within college football.” Harbaugh previously inked a 10-year, $125M deal that keeps him under contract in Michigan through 2026.

While the Chargers have requested interviews with 11 candidates to replace Brandon Staley, the organization was set to be “pressing hard” to hire Harbaugh. In fact, with the coach having recently hired agent Don Yee, it was believed that the Chargers already submitted preliminary offers to the coach’s camp.

The Chargers also have a GM opening after firing Tom Telesco, and it was opined that Harbaugh could require full personnel control at his next NFL stop. However, Pelissero and Rapoport note that Harbaugh isn’t expected to require suitors “to allow him to hire his own GM, understanding that the structure [in] NFL buildings has changed and evolved since he last worked in the league.” Still, if the Chargers do opt for Harbaugh, there’s a good chance they’d hire a GM who has familiarity with the 60-year-old coach.

Since parting ways with the 49ers after the 2014 campaign, Harbaugh has guided Michigan to an 86-25 overall record. This includes a 37-3 record over the past three years, culminating in a National Championship win on Monday night. Per Pelissero and Rapoport, Harbaugh has spent the past few days “decompressing and making a school-sponsored victory tour,” but that hasn’t stopped the coach from considering his NFL future. Per sources, Harbaugh has been updating staff lists and examining potential openings around the NFL.