OTish - Bears keeping Eberflus

Chicago wouldn't have been a threat since their GM is the former B1G commish and Harbaugh doesn't get along with him 

The biggest threat is probably Washington.  They have the #2 pick so he could get the QB he wants and it's close to his brother in Baltimore.  The whole family could live in the same area.

Self-proclaimed Jim Fan Colin Cowherd thinks the Commanders job is the one to keep an eye on. Josh Harris will want to make a big splash as a new owner. The appeal for Jim is that it keeps him out of the AFC where he won't have to be consistently competing against John (which Jim has openly says he dislikes), but it will allow Jack and Jackie to move to the DMV and be able to have an even closer family proximity in between Baltimore and DC.

I think ultimately there's a lot of "Cowherd" in this theory... but we all know how much family means to Jim and this could be a deceptively intriguing plus for him.  Ultimately though I think the overwhelming deciding factor (as it was for the Minnesota decision, as it was in San Francisco) is what is the Owner relationship, what is the GM relationship?  If he doesn't feel comfortable with that, he won't relive the madness of the SF lesson. Everything else takes a backseat to that.

"San Diego: This one scares me."

As Yogi Berra would say, " San Diego is no longer in San Diego."

San Diego would only scare me if they had an NFL team.

I actually agree with the new-ish sentiment that Jim may prefer Washington to San Diego if he goes back to The NFL. He'd be close to his brother so the parents can near both, Jim prefers NFC as long as John is AFC (said when he took the SF job), 2nd overall pick for a QB or capital, most money to spend, etc.

I think Vrabel gets a job quick but I wonder if NE just wants to move on from the Belichick era and tree. I think if Day wants a NFL job he begs for NE for obvious reasons.

Michigan is going to be a major fulcrum for a lot of jobs if Jim goes because if Jim goes you lose Minter at the very least. If MacDonald gets a HC job you likely lose Minter regardless. If both happen you have a Harbaugh bidding war for Minter so just assume Minter is gone unless Jim stays AND Macdonald doesn't get a HC gig.

Then we have CFB jobs. I think the NC win finally pushes some guys to start their HC or coordinator coaching careers and which of them are at Michigan? I think it's obvious that Moore is the HC in waiting. Jim stays or goes, it seems he's next in line. Let us play that out and say Jim leaves. Moore gets promoted the same day or next day, who follows Jim? Of those that don't or aren't offered, which get offers at other programs? Jay, Hart, Clink, etc. 

In short, I think Michigan goes into 2024 with a largely brand new staff whether Jim leaves or not. Staying keeps most around but if he leaves you likely promote one to OC and the other of Jay/Hart get offers and leave. If Minter goes, you can promote Clink or maybe see who the next guy in that Ravens lineage is. Not sure. Herbert! If Jim goes does he take him with him? I don't see anyone following Jim but Minter, Jay and Herbert if anyone at all. Most feel like college guys other than Minter. I don't think the others would get asked or want to follow.

But we're National Champs so I'm not even gonna worry! Back to The NFL and I think Chicago made the right call, Ben Johnson will probably move on to San Diego if they're an option. They seem the most ready to run his style. I don't see Glenn getting a HC job this season. I do think Macdonald will but will be a fallback candidate when a team whiffed on their first few candidates. I'd bet Jim goes and that's probably a 4-team race between SD, Wash, Vegas and NE. Carolina owner is too volatile. 

I also feel like one or two more jobs will open up soon. Even if just due to a coach walking away for a bit. I think Pittsburgh and Tomlin is probable. If Detroit spanks LA, McVay and ownership may want to start over. I think any candidates would be smart to keep their personal wishlists open for a bit.

Tennessee: looks like a huge project with no QB and Henry likely leaving. I would guess Jim would say no.

I haven't been paying attention. Is Will Levis not the answer?

Jim was willing to go 12 months ago to a Vikings team in salary cap hell, an aging defense, a RB who was falling apart, and aging Kirk Cousins last year without amazing draft capital as a middle of the pack team.  So those who think he is only going to go for Herbert or Commanders or a team with a plethora of draft picks and everything else is beneath him - nah.

If he wants to leave, any of those jobs are going to be in play. 

I think the Raiders are more of a threat than people think, simply because I’ve heard more than one person say Davis is looking for someone to just hand the keys to and step back. That sounds exactly like the kind of situation Jim would enjoy

Regardless of outcome, that post-game handshake could tear the fabric of the universe. I could actually see the two coaches get into some sort of "shirtless flex-off" mid-field. 

I just can't see Harbaugh uprooting his family from a relatively small, family oriented community (Ann Arbor) to....Las Vegas.

But what do I know.

What are these antics?  The guy is a winner and he believes in a positive culture.  Is it easier for College kids who have never done anything in their lives to buy into that?  Probably.  If he goes to the NFL, he’ll be on a 3-5 year timer because every coach in the NFL is on a 3-5 year timer.  That’s the most amount of time you have in the NFL to win big, and that is if you’re lucky.

That is why he should stay.  He has said many many times that the goal of his life was to play as long as he could and then coach as long as he could and then die.  That can happen if he stays.  That doesn’t happen in the NFL.  You can’t out-happy, happy.  He knows that.  I hope stays, and that he is “feeling the love” because it’s never been stronger.

I truly hope that Santa, Warde, the regents, and greater alumni community truly go all out to convince Harbaugh to stay.

This was not about winning it all one year then moving on (or even getting a few over osu) - this has to be about long term legacy and sustained success.  If it all falls apart shortly after he leaves...

There are better options out there.

Who exactly? Not sure I see anyone out there that would come that I want.

And why isn't Moore the right choice?

He's been great here and has in-game HC experience in some of our biggest games this year. Who better to keep what Harbaugh has built than one of his own assistants? 

IF Harbaugh leaves, I'd want Moore to be our next coach. I'd be skeptical of anyone else out there that could come in, keep the staff mostly intact and continue to build upon what Harbaugh has established.