Jim Harbaugh (Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons are actively pursuing top-tier candidates in the current head-coaching cycle.
On Tuesday, the Falcons officially announced their recent interview with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, just a day after engaging with former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Harbaugh and Belichick stand out as the most accomplished NFL coaches in consideration, with Harbaugh showcasing success throughout his coaching career.
Jim Harbaugh’s Coaching Achievements
At 60 years old, Harbaugh has been with Michigan since 2015, recently securing the national championship earlier this month and clinching three consecutive Big Ten titles. With an 86-25 record in games coached with the Wolverines, Harbaugh has led his team to at least 12 wins in each of the past three seasons, including the championship-winning campaign.
Before his tenure at Michigan, Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers, achieving a notable 44-19-1 record with two NFC West titles, three playoff appearances, three NFC Championship Game appearances, and a Super Bowl berth (a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, coached by his brother, John Harbaugh, in Super Bowl XLVII). Throughout his NFL career, he never finished a season with a sub-.500 record.
Harbaugh’s coaching journey also includes four years at Stanford, where he revitalized the program and achieved a 29-21 record. Notably, in 2010, he led Stanford to a 12-1 season and a No. 4 final ranking. During his time at Stanford, he played a pivotal role in developing future No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, Harbaugh experienced success at San Diego, boasting a 29-6 record and securing back-to-back Pioneer League titles.
Seventh Coach Interviewing for Falcons’ Position
Harbaugh becomes the seventh coach to interview for the Falcons’ head coaching position, aiming to fill the vacancy left by Arthur Smith’s departure on January 8 after three seasons. Harbaugh joins other candidates, including Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, assistant head coach Anthony Weaver, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and Bill Belichick.
This marks Harbaugh’s second known interview, having also engaged in discussions with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.
