Chicago Bears Stock Report: Head coaching candidates to replace Matt Nagy

Chicago Bears Head Coach Candidate: Jim Harbaugh – Stock Up

When I put my list of potential replacements for Matt Nagy together both this year and even last year, Jim Harbaugh never crossed my mind. I was always anti-Harbaugh when it came to him coaching here in Chicago. This was not because I thought he was a bad coach or that I don’t like him. No, none of that is true. I just never liked the pairing. However, as time has gone on, and I mentioned earlier when discussing Dave Toub, I like the managing-type head coach more now.

In fact, Harbaugh is currently slotted in as my fifth choice. I know that sounds strange, but I am coming around to him more and more. With all of the top offensive coordinators seeing their stock go up and down (outside of maybe Kellen Moore), Harbaugh brings something they do not. He has the connections and ability to put together an amazing staff. He also is the type of head coach who will lean on his coordinators and not push an ego-driven scheme on either side of the ball.

During his time as the head coach of the 49ers, Harbaugh went 44-18, including a 4-0 record vs an Aaron Rodgers’ led Packers team. He went to three consecutive NFC Championships and lost in his only Super Bowl appearance to his brother of all people. To top it off, many players talk about how he changed the expectations within the locker room and held players accountable — something the Bears’ current regime has struggled to do.

Harbaugh has seen some very positive success recently too as Michigan not only won the Big Ten Championship for the first time in his career, but the Wolverines are the No. 2 seed in the 2021 College Football Playoffs. Should Michigan find a way to win it all or at least perform well, then Harbaugh’s stock could rise even more.