8. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Head Coach
Jim Harbaugh is becoming the white whale for Bears’ fans. They all seem to be dying for him to coach the team. But prying Harbaugh away from Michigan at this point is going to be a tall order.
First, there’s a general consensus that Harbaugh will want full operational control of any football team he takes over at the NFL level. Based on how coveted he is, he will probably be able to pull that off when he is ready to make the jump. With Ryan Pace still in control, Harbaugh may not want to do that.
Michigan also hasn’t reached the level that I’m sure Harbaugh wanted to return the program to. They have failed to beat Ohio State and while he has significantly improved the team from where they were, they aren’t competing for a playoff spot. This is Harbaugh’s alma mater. Before he leaves the program, he will want them back at a level he is proud of and it doesn’t appear to be there.
One thing is certain, assuming Harbaugh is not the next head coach of the Bears, if Ryan Pace and his new coach fail, you can bet the Bears will put on the full-court press to lure him back to Chicago from Michigan in 2020.
Odds on being next head coach: 100 to 1