Michigan's Jim Harbaugh comments on future after Panthers report

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't completely dismiss rumors about a potential return to the NFL with his latest comments on the subject. 

"Although no one knows the future, I think I will be coaching Michigan next year," Harbaugh told Will Kunkel of Queen City News on Tuesday night.  

Harbaugh spoke with Kunkel after it was reported the 59-year-old "had a conversation" with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper about that team's head coaching position. Both ESPN's David Newton and Queen City News said Harbaugh and Tepper merely had a discussion that was not a job interview regarding the vacancy. 

The Panthers parted ways with former coach Matt Rhule in October after they started the 2022 NFL season at 1-4. Meanwhile, Harbaugh recently guided Michigan to a berth in the College Football Playoff, where the Wolverines suffered an upset loss to the TCU Horned Frogs in the semifinal round this past Saturday. 

Harbaugh previously went 44-19-1 serving as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 through the 2014 season. He led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013, but San Francisco fell to the Baltimore Ravens in that championship contest. 

Harbaugh was heavily linked with the Minnesota Vikings last winter before it was confirmed in February that he and Michigan had agreed to a "reworked" contract set to run through the 2026 season. Newton pointed out that Harbaugh has a $3 million buyout until the second year of that deal, which begins next Wednesday.