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Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh could be Broncos’ front runner

By Lou Scataglia

2MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
2MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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On Tuesday, CEO Greg Penner and General Manager George Paton held a press conference that left me thinking that current Michigan head coach and former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh could be the frontrunner.  The press conference was mostly basic questions being thrown toward Penner and Paton.

There was a lot of information said, but much of it was very generic answers stemming from generic questions.  However, the feeling that Greg Penner was trying to convey, or the feeling that many of us got from this presser was one of urgency and results.

Both himself and Paton seemed relieved that Hackett was gone but also seemed full of urgency and disappointment.  There was a moment during the presser that should carry more weight than we might think it does now.

Apparently, part owner Condoleezza Rice will be involved in the head coaching search committee.  This makes sense as Rice is probably the most football-centric mind out of the entire ownership group.   Even during the presser on Tuesday, Greg Penner had mentioned how new of an experience this way to him, so inviting the opinion of someone who knows more about football than himself is smart and a great leadership strategy.

Being that Rice is going to have involvement in the search, that could, in theory, propel Jim Harbaugh to the front of the line for the Denver Broncos.  Jim Harbaugh is a fantastic coach who has won at every stop he’s made, both in college and in the NFL.

In the early 2010s, he was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers before taking a job with his alma mater at Michigan.  He’s built a powerhouse at the college level and seems to have accomplished nearly everything besides winning a Super Bowl.

The reason why Rice being involved could mean that Jim Harbaugh as the frontrunner is because of the connections they share at Stanford, where Harbaugh was the head coach.

Condi Rice is a widely respected figure in our society and is likely someone that Harbaugh would be very willing to work with.  If he does indeed want to make a return to the NFL, the Broncos could be an easy sell.

The team now has deep pockets with their Walmart money, and the Broncos have a rich history of winning, top-of-the-line facilities, and a solid roster to boot.  The head coaching vacancy is not an unattractive one, and I do think Harbaugh would entertain employment here.

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