Will Jim Harbaugh Leave Stanford After the Orange Bowl?

Ever since Jim Harbaugh took over as the head football coach of the S tanford Cardinal in December of 2006, his solid coaching skills have been reaching further and further into the national limelight. In the intervening years, during which Harbaugh has brought the Stanford program from moribund to burgeoning powerhouse, football fans have heard whispered rumors about this team or that trying to woo the coach away from the Cardinal. With his team scheduled to play against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, the scuttlebutt about Harbaugh's future is hotter than ever before. Although he has been quick to point out his cushy position at Stanford and his ties to the community, all of the stars may be aligning to make this the perfect time for Harbaugh to change course, and he may have his pick among several enticing opportunities.

First, it seems likely that Harbaugh's alma mater, the University of Michigan, will soon have a coaching vacancy following their dismantling at the hands of Mississippi State in the Progressive Gator Bowl. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez has been on thin ice seemingly since he accepted the job, and he still can't beat Ohio State. RichRod is almost surely gone, and it's long been thought that this would be Harbaugh's dream job.

But wait! Over in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers recently fired coach Mike Singletary, and there is growing sentiment that Harbaugh could be the main target as Iron Mike's replacement. This would give Harbaugh the opportunity to remain in the Bay Area and to jump to the pro ranks in an attempt to restore the 49ers' glory days.

And if all of that is not enough, newly-installed Denver Broncos Vice President of Football Operations John Elway just happens to be a Stanford alumnus. Elway and Harbaugh have allegedly become fairly chummy in recent months, and it's a good bet that the Broncos will also go after Harbaugh pretty hard.

Of course, Harbaugh could just stay at Stanford and build on the fine program that he has going there. With all of the temptations, and the fact the the coach has been somewhat squirrelly when asked about a proposed contract extension, that possibility seems to be dimming.