Jim Harbaugh is taking a big step toward potentially returning to the NFL.
The controversial Michigan coach is scheduled to interview with the Chargers for their head coaching vacancy next week. According to NFL Network.
The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco midway through the season, but have not yet hired replacements for either.
Harbaugh, 60, recently led the University of Michigan to a national championship and a perfect 15-0 record, defeating the University of Alabama and the University of Washington in the College Football Playoff.
However, he was suspended for a total of six games, first for recruiting violations and then for stealing signs from the team.
The University of Michigan is reportedly still trying to convince Harbaugh to sign a contract extension.
NFL Network reported last month that the University of Michigan had already offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million contract extension, with the condition that he not accept any offers from the NFL for the 2024 season. It was attached.
Harbaugh hired influential agent Don Yee to represent him in December.
Yee has deep ties to the NFL, representing players such as Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
Harbaugh previously coached the NFL's 49ers, winning nearly 70 percent of their games in his four years with the team.
He led the team to three straight NFC Championships and one Super Bowl appearance, but lost to the Ravens in 2013.
Harbaugh has long expressed interest in returning to the NFL, interviewing with the Vikings and Broncos in the past two offseasons, respectively.
He has revealed little publicly.
“I just want to enjoy this. I hope you give me that. Can a guy even do that?” Harbaugh said after the national championship game. “Do we always have to think, 'What's next, what's the future?'”
According to reports, the Raiders are also considering the possibility of acquiring Harbaugh.
However, according to ESPN, interim head coach Antonio Pierce has emerged as the frontrunner for the team's head coaching job.
