Panthers owner David Tepper has reached out to Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh about returning to the NFL in Carolina after firing Matt Rhule following a 1-4 start
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has spoken with University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh about the team’s head coaching position, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The person described the meeting as a conversation, not an interview. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team does not typically release details of its coaching search. Charlotte Sports Live was the first to report the conversation.
The Denver Broncos have also reached out to Harbaugh according to reports.
The Carolina Panthers have reportedly contacted Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh
Panthers owner David Tepper is said to have reached out to Harbough about coaching in Carolina
The Panthers’ head coaching search is expected to begin in earnest in the coming weeks.
Carolina (6-10) was eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday following a 30-24 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Steve Wilks serves as interim head coach after Matt Rhule was fired midway through his third season as head coach. The Panthers are 5-6 under Wilks.
Carolina is required to interview at least two minority candidates, and those won’t arrive until after wild-card weekend if those coaches are employed by another NFL team.
Harbaugh has had coaching success at the NFL and college levels.
He coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, winning two NFC West titles and reaching the NFC championship game three times in four seasons. He was 44-19-1 during that span and helped the 49ers to Super Bowl 47, where they lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Jim Harbaugh walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals
He left the 49ers after going 8-8 in 2014 – the only season the 49ers missed the postseason under his direction – to take the Michigan job.
The 59-year-old Harbaugh spent the past eight seasons coaching the Wolverines, compiling a 74-25 record. Michigan was 13-0 this season before being upset this past weekend by TCU in the College Football Playoffs.
Harbaugh also spent four seasons as Stanford’s head coach and three more at San Diego.
He was the AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2011 and AP College Coach of the Year in 2021.
He spent 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback, ending his career with a brief stint with the Panthers in 2001, though he did not play.
The Panthers, who have failed to reach the playoffs the past five seasons, close the season Sunday at New Orleans.
Steve Wilks has served as Panther interim coach since Matt Rhule was fired midseason
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