Jim Harbaugh: NFL coaching rumors are “warmed up oatmeal”

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Despite giving absolutely zero indication that he’s interested in a return to the NFL, University of Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is once again facing the rumors that seem to follow him around at the end of every Michigan season.

It isn’t exactly surprising that his name seems to always pop up as a candidate to fill NFL head coaching vacancies. After all, he did lead the San Francisco 49ers to three NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance in four years. Certainly not a bad professional coaching resume.

However, during Michigan’s Outback Bowl press conference in Tampa, Harbaugh quickly put the kibosh on this latest round of rumors.

“Let’s just move on to the next question,” he said. “That’s like warmed up oatmeal.” 

At least there was no “jive turkey” reference this time around like last season in December. Is “warmed up oatmeal” a better metaphor? Perhaps only Harbaugh knows.

There have been multiple reports from multiple high profile outlets, including Jay Glazer of Fox SportsMike Wells of ESPNPete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, and Josh Edwards of 247 Sports saying that Harbaugh could be targeted by NFL teams. However, it would likely take a king’s ransom – even more than the seven-year, $52.1 million deal he’s getting paid by Michigan over seven years – to lure him back to the professional ranks.

He did choose to offer a bit of clarification to his odd breakfast reference.

“Maybe I could compare it to something else that’s re-hashed or warmed back up; it’s just not good anymore,” he continued. “Oatmeal is the first thing that comes to mind. I’m not a big fan of warmed-up oatmeal.”

Perhaps a reporter could have made a name for himself had he proceeded to ask Harbaugh if his opinion of oatmeal would change if he mixed it with Gatorade, another quirk that he’s made literal headlines for.

Only time will tell if there’s ever actually any serious chance Harbaugh would return to the NFL. But according to all indications, he’s perfectly happy where he is right now.