Jim Harbaugh Speaks for First Time Since He Laid Out Bold Proposal for Football Student-Athletes

Jim Harbaugh is once again throwing his hat in the ring with ideas to improve the NCAA's treatment of its student athletes. After proposing some plans in an open letter to the football community to reshape the association's current eligibility rules, he appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to speak on the subject for the first time and further hash out what his proposal would entail.

The idea focuses on allowing players to keep their spot and scholarships in college while still pursuing a professional career. He essentially wants to let players declare for the NFL Draft at any time and suffer no penalty as a result.

The current rules dictate that a player must be at least three years removed from high school to declare for the NFL Draft. Once they declare, they forfeit their remaining eligibility at the college level.

Harbaugh wants to change things so that student athletes can "have it all" and live out their football careers with more freedom to try and improve their lives. It's an idea that's been endorsed by even his biggest rival.

It hasn't been made clear whether the NCAA is considering his proposal, but an open letter from the head coach of one of the nation's biggest programs is sure to at least get them thinking.