BreakingNews: Jim Harbaugh’s focus remains far from…

Jim Harbaugh’s focus remains far from vacated wins Andrew Kulha 2 – 3 minutes  Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines are on a roll. So much so that the whole Connor Stalions “sign-stealing” scandal seems like an afterthought.  That’s what happens when you win 14 in a row — including wins over No. 10 Penn State, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Alabama in the College Football Playoff  — and find yourself in the College Football Playoff National Championship.  Still, the idea of NCAA sanctions or penalties  — including vacated wins  — is very much a reality for Michigan depending on the conclusions from an NCAA investigation into the matter.   Speaking on a conference call with reporters, Harbaugh made it clear that he has no room in his mind to talk about vacated wins right now, though. He’s trying to win Michigan’s first National Championship since 1997. Whether or not a potential title win is vacated in the future isn’t on Harbaugh’s radar.      “As I said, getting ready for this game. One-track mind,” Harbaugh said when asked what it would mean if the NCAA vacated Michigan’s wins, per On3. “I mean that’s, I guess you want to live in the world of Rumorville or speculation. But we just don’t really have any room to be doing that at this point. That’s time spent elsewhere.”  Harbaugh’s critics would say that Michigan will eventually have to pay the piper for its role in the widespread sign-stealing scheme and Harbaugh’s three-game school-imposed suspension for the contests against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State wasn’t enough.   His critics may also say that he’s not worried about vacated wins because he essentially seems to be once again ready to test the waters of the NFL this offseason. If he goes to the NFL, any sanctions at Michigan won’t be his problem anymore.  Of course, it’s hard to deny Harbaugh the chance to focus on the biggest game of his career. One can understand why a reporter would ask him about sanctions, but it’s also understandable that the only thing on his mind is Monday night’s championship contest against the No. 2 Washington Huskies.  NFL expert explains why CFP title game won’t affect Jim Harbaugh’s future Andrew Kulha 3 – 4 minutes  Jim Harbaugh has a chance to win his first national championship as a head coach and Michigan’s first title since 1997.  By beating No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, 27-20, in overtime, Harbaugh and his No. 1-ranked Wolverines are one win away from college football immortality.   A perfect 15-0 season with a CFP championship trophy is certainly in reach. In fact, the early odds slightly favor Michigan against No. 2 Washington — which took care of No. 3 Texas, 37-31, in the Sugar Bowl.  Yes, Harbaugh is in a great spot, as is Michigan. It’s somewhat surprising, then, to hear that NFL rumors are still swirling around the head coach as he looks to wrap up his ninth season in Ann Arbor in a big way.  The latest intel comes from NFL insider Adam Schefter, who believes that no matter if the Wolverines lose or win next Monday night, Harbaugh will have interest in returning to the NFL.  “My perspective has always been that Jim wanted to restore greatness to Michigan. He’s done that,” Schefter told Pat McAfee on Tuesday.      “Jim Harbaugh hasn’t signed an extension with Michigan yet & he has hired Don Yee as his agent who has deep NFL connections..      If there’s an NFL team out there that makes a really compelling offer my sense is that he would entertain that offer” ~ @AdamSchefter#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ODETUFZ91S     — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2024   Schefter went on to say that win-lose-or-draw against Washington, he believes that Harbaugh still has the goal of winning a Super Bowl. He got close in Super Bowl XLVII when his San Francisco 49ers made it to the big game, but he (ironically) lost to his brother John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens.  Harbaugh’s hiring a new agent also plays a role in the thought that the bombastic head coach wants to head back to the league.      “That’s why you hire Don Yee to go do that deal — a big deal. He didn’t hire Don Yee to go negotiate an extension with Warde Manuel. He just didn’t do that, OK?” Schefter said. “So let’s see what happens next Monday night, and then he gets to sift through his options and it’s up to the NFL to pull him into the league. I believe the opportunity is there. I believe he’s all ears. It doesn’t mean he’s leaving. They have to make up his mind for him. But he’s there to be had, in my mind.”  Harbaugh played at Michigan from 1982 to 1986 and then spent 14 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback.  As a coach, he made a name for himself at San Diego and then became part of the national conversation thanks to a great run at Stanford from 2007 to 2010.   Harbaugh coached the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, accumulating a 44-19-1 record.