I guess we've reached the point in the sports season where the dumb coaching rumors start to pop up. With the Los Angeles Rams having fired head coach Jeff Fisher, the latest rumor is that Jim Harbaugh is going to leave the Michigan Wolverines so he can coach the Rams. It was discussed on numerous sports talk shows Tuesday morning, it's a trendy topic among fans and Fox Sports says the Rams should make a run at Harbaugh. But can we please stop talking about this? Harbaugh isn't leaving for the Rams and there's no evidence he's even considering it.
MRW I keep hearing people talk about Harbaugh and the #Rams pic.twitter.com/TNaHCee4o8
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) December 13, 2016
Let's try and break down this silly rumor and why Harbaugh isn't making the jump to the NFL. One argument is that the Rams can offer over $10 million (or more) to lure Harbaugh to the NFL. That's cool, but he's already making more than any coach in the NFL at Michigan. And he originally turned down more money at Michigan. It's never been about the money for Harbaugh.
By the way, he happens to be at his alma mater, a perfect position for him. He's one of the best college coaches, working with great resources and gets damn near anything he asks for. Plus, he's basically a God at Michigan. Why give that up?
Let's pretend for a second that Harbaugh actually does want to head back to the NFL. Is it really going to be for the Rams? The same franchise that revealed the extended the contract of their head coach only to fire him 10 days later? Harbaugh had his fill of dysfunctional front offices at the 49ers, so why go join another one? It's not even like the Rams' roster is in that great of shape. Jared Goff was set up for failure this year, the Rams are without a first round pick and there are notable needs on both sides of the ball.
It's easy to see why the Rams (and Eric Dickerson) would want Harbaugh. It makes sense from their perspective; he can work with Goff and is a fantastic head coach. But just like the Rams' foolish interest in Pete Carroll (an equally big waste of time), it's just not happening. It makes no sense for Harbaugh.
And if you don't take my word for it, here's a bunch of other media members saying the same thing.
Sources with both the Rams & Michigan say no truth to Harbaugh/Rams rumor. Laughed it off.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) December 12, 2016
I'll say this one time: Jim Harbaugh is not leaving Michigan for the NFL this year or any time soon. Any reports to the contrary are lazy.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) December 12, 2016
Not sure if the NFL talk has already been sufficiently squashed but just in case...
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) December 12, 2016
Jim. Harbaugh. Isn't. Leaving. Michigan. This. Year.
*sigh!* Okay, here we go: The rumors of Harbaugh to the NFL are once again based on nothing. Please keep this tweet handy for the next one.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) December 12, 2016
Can we please be done with this now? Just like Fetch, it's not going to happen.
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