Does Jim Harbaugh Make Sense for Carolina?

The Panthers could tap into the college ranks again for its head coach.

Author:
Schuyler Callihan
Jan 10, 2024 8:30 AM EST

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Over the course of the next month or so, the Carolina Panthers will interview several candidates for its head coach opening.

On Monday, the official team site released a batch of names that they have requested permission to speak with about the job - a list that includes Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

One name that has been floated around these parts more than once is the guy who just won the college football national championship, Jim Harbaugh.

CBS Sports reported last January that "Harbaugh or his representation called Tepper with regularity as Carolina searched for a new head coach. Tepper took a call with Harbaugh, sources said, but it was never a job interview."

Earlier this week on the Mac and Bone Show on WFNZ Radio, Brad Crawford of 247 Sports said that there is interest from Carolina, "I've been told that Panthers have also reached out to Harbaugh's representation."

Does it make sense for Tepper to pursue Harbaugh? It is a fit?

Well, let's take him for what he is - a winner. Regardless of level, Harbaugh has won every stop.

It took him a couple of years to drag Stanford out of the basement in the PAC 12 but by year four, he went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl with Andrew Luck as his quarterback.

Prior to his arrival in San Francisco, the 49ers went nine years without a single winning season. In year one, Harbaugh won 13 games and took his team to the NFC Championship. By year two, he had the Niners playing in the Super Bowl.

And in the eleven years before Harbaugh returned to Michigan, the Wolverines won ten or more games twice. As a matter of fact, they had more losing seasons (three) in that timeframe. Harbaugh has won 10+ games six times in Ann Arbor and has a record of 40-3 over the last three years.

This man knows how to coach, lead a locker room, and most importantly, win football games. I don't question whether or not Harbaugh would be successful in Carolina. I question whether or not this is the place he wants to leave his alma mater for.

You can call him impatient, a disturbance, short-tempered, etc. - How is Tepper viewed by Harbaugh? Is it possible that he just sees him as a passionate owner who wants to do everything he can to win? Can the two co-exist? If both sides feel like they can make it work without a conflict of power, then yes, a Harbaugh-Panthers marriage should absolutely be on the table.

But it's more than just the optics of the owner. It's the situation he'd be walking into. No first-round pick, a team that is coming off a 2-15 season, and holes all over the roster.

Is that as attractive as say, the Chargers' job where you have an established quarterback in Justin Herbert? Or even Washington, who has the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?

For Carolina, it makes sense. For Harbaugh, it feels like there are better situations out there, including staying put at Michigan.