Rumors Suggest Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Michigan Exit and NFL Return

The Jim Harbaugh experiment hasn't gone according to plan in Ann Arbor.

Expectations were so high for Harbaugh -- a true Michigan man -- when he was hired in late 2014 that his inability to reach the lofty goals of bringing home Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff hardware is now viewed as a failure.

Whether fair or not, Michigan's dream of winning the Big Ten in 2019 is pretty much dead, and with it Harbaugh's status among college football's elite may be coming to a close by his own doing.

Joel Klatt previously sparked this conversation just weeks ago, stating that he believes Harbaugh would consider retirement after another disappointing season. Yet, FootballScoop has provided another update, with Harbaugh reportedly trying to find an out in Ann Arbor to return to the NFL.

Harbaugh's inability to beat ranked teams, specifically on the road, put his tenure in a bad light and for good reason. The 55-year-old was one bad spot away from taking down Ohio State in 2016 and potentially winning the Big 10 and notching a berth in the CFP. Instead, he has yet to beat the Buckeyes in any capacity, surely viewed as an unforgivable sin in the minds of Michigan fans.

Should he leave Michigan, an NFL return could be in the cards. Harbaugh is familiar with the professional ranks, and his reps have reportedly been putting out 'feelers' to garner some interest for the former 49ers coach.

With games remaining against Notre Dame and Ohio State, it's very possible Harbaugh could flame out with more defeats at the hands of top competition, and in the process bail on the collegiate level altogether.