Harbaugh Remains Mum On Future
STANFORD (CBS / AP) -- Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday offered no insight to what's next: staying put, bolting to the NFL or going elsewhere.
Neither Harbaugh or his agent, Jack Bechta, commented Wednesday amid word that Harbaugh had met with the San Francisco 49ers to discuss their head coaching vacancy.
Under Harbaugh's stewardship on Monday night, the Stanford Cardinal earned a 40-12 Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech to finish with a program-best 12-1 record.
Harbaugh - who recently admitted he "feels so popular" as a result of his coaching success - now has to weigh his choices, with suitors from coast to coast and Stanford making its own hard push to keep him. From the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and 49ers, Harbaugh is a hot commodity around the NFL.
And what about his alma mater, the University of Michigan?
The school confirmed Wednesday that embattled coach Rich Rodriguez was fired and there has been ongoing buzz about Harbaugh being sought as a successor.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he has talked with Harbaugh and "will continue to talk" with him because he's "a Michigan man" he has known for years.
"I personally believe that Jim Harbaugh is headed to the NFL, that's my opinion," Brandon said.
His brother, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, also said he thought "the Michigan thing is done now."
"I think that's over. I don't think he's interested in doing that," he said in a CBS Radio interview in Blatimore. "That's hard for him because he loves Michigan."
Stanford's Orange Bowl MVP quarterback Andrew Luck, meanwhile, also has to contemplate what's next. He has until Jan. 15 to decide whether to forgo his final two years of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft, where he's projected as the No. 1 pick when he does come out.
"I know the deadline's coming up to figure something out. Honestly I haven't given it too much thought," said Luck, who insists he hasn't been affected by the speculation surrounding Harbaugh.
"Ever since I've been a freshman his name has been mentioned for every job that has come open it seems like, so we're used to it. He's got to do what's best for his family. We understand it's part of life. ... For the team, it didn't get in the way of winning an Orange Bowl. It worked out well so it was not a distraction," Luck said.
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