Jim Harbaugh: Could His Contract Delay Indicate a Return To Michigan?

The thought of Jim Harbaugh coming home to Michigan could be more than just a Christmas wish.

Harbaugh, who many say is the top candidate to replace beleaguered Wolverine coach Rich Rodriguez, hasn’t signed a contract extension from Stanford he’s had for about three weeks.

“I haven’t even discussed it,” Harbaugh mentioned to the Silicon Valley MercuryNews.com.

Friday’s MercuryNews story also questioned Harbaugh over a comment made by Stanford AD Bob Bowlsby that Harbaugh “indicated he plans to accept it.”

Harbaugh could have said that Stanford’s Orange Bowl preparation was keeping him from taking care of business, but instead thought that Bowlsby may have “misspoke.”

Could these few tidbits be “code” for Harbaugh to expect an offer from Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon?

Some believe Harbaugh is looking to the NFL, but many think he wants to return to Michigan, where he played as a youth at Pioneer High, and later starred for Bo Schembechler as a Wolverine. .

In two full seasons as Michigan’s starting quarterback, Harbaugh compiled a 21-3-1 record, and “guaranteed” a victory in the 26-24 win over Ohio State in 1986.

Harbaugh went on to a 14-year NFL career before eventually taking the Stanford head coaching job in 2007.

He later frustrated then-Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and many in the Michigan athletic family by arguing that a school with the standards of Michigan accepts too many players who are borderline academically.

Carr, of course, retired after the 2007 season and Michigan settled on Rich Rodriguez after the Les Miles hire fell through.

Rodriguez has coached the last three seasons amid both on and off the field problems. Brandon repeatedly has said that any discussion of the coaching situation won’t happen until after the bowl games. He also hasn’t given Rodriguez a public vote of confidence.

Michigan, it appears, has forgiven Harbaugh, and many believe his return is just a matter of time.