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The Green Bay Packers finally fired head coach Mike McCarthy amid another disappointing season two weeks ago. Since then, numerous candidates have been suggested to take over the reins of one of the NFL's legacy franchises. However, none of them make more sense than current Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Here are three reasons Harbaugh should be the top candidate for the Packers' coveted head coaching job.
3. He's the Perfect Fix
Some Michigan fans might argue this case, but Harbaugh has quickly turned around every team he's led. Harbaugh took over a Stanford team that finished 1-11 under Walt Harris in 2007. Three years later, the Cardinal finished 8-5 and lost the Sun Bowl. In 2010, the rebuild was complete. Harbaugh's Cardinal went 12-1, including a 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech.
Harbaugh did the same when the San Francisco 49ers hired him in 2011. The talented but underachieving 49ers finished 6-10 in 2010, and Harbaugh stepped in and made an immediate impact. His 49ers won the NFC West with a 13-3 record and earned a trip to the NFC Championship Game. Eventually, Harbaugh led his team to a Super Bowl appearance against the Baltimore Ravens following the 2012 season.
Finally, Harbaugh's alma mater came calling. Michigan once dominated the Big Ten, including their biggest rival Ohio State. However, the program began showing signs of weakness following Michigan's 1997 national championship season. The team rarely lost more than two games per season prior to 1998, but since winning the title, Michigan has lost less than three games only three times.
When Harbaugh took over the Wolverines, they were coming off a 5-7 season with little hope for the future. The turnaround was quick, and although Harbaugh has yet to lose less than three games in a season, Michigan finally has the talent to contend for a Big Ten title on an annual basis.
Michigan has a chance to lose less than three games this season if the Wolverines can beat Florida in the Peach Bowl.
The Packers need a quick rebuild. With Aaron Rodgers entering the twilight of his career, Green Bay needs to take a risk on a coach with a history of quick turnarounds. Harbaugh often wears out his welcome. He might not spend more than a few years in Green Bay, but there is a good chance that he will lead the Packers back to a Super Bowl during that stretch.
2. Harbaugh and Rodgers Make a Good Match
Few coaches have a resume like Jim Harbaugh with his quarterbacks. Regardless of the talent level, Harbaugh consistently finds a way to make his quarterbacks at least a little better. His competitive nature is a large part of that, which is one reason he does tend to overwhelm his bosses in the long-term. Yet this isn't about the long-term. This is about winning now with 35-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
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There were numerous reports throughout the last couple of years about the relationship Rodgers had with McCarthy. Rodgers remains one of the most intelligent players in the league, and he needs someone that will creatively challenge him. That's something McCarthy failed to do. McCarthy ran the same offense for years, and teams got used to it.
Harbaugh won't make the same mistakes. He's been under center in the NFL and understands that offenses must evolve over time. Harbaugh knows how competitive Rodgers is. He was the same way when he led the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs during his playing career.
There is one risk: the competitive nature of both men could cause more friction than success. However, it's worth the risk. Harbaugh is a winner, who will get the best out of the Green Bay roster.
1. The Packers' System Works for Harbaugh
Few teams in the league make more sense for Harbaugh than Green Bay. If there is a place for Harbaugh to re-enter the NFL, it's there. Green Bay's roots in a west coast system go back further than McCarthy. There is a winning culture in Green Bay that few teams can match. They draft players that are similar to what Harbaugh has traditionally sought. They play an aggressive style of defense that Harbaugh loves seeing on the field.
It all comes down to personnel, and the young core Green Bay has assembled works for Harbaugh across the board. Whether it be the secondary with rookie Jaire Alexander, or the offensive skill position players like Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams, their skill-sets are exactly what Harbaugh looks for.
Green Bay has built a culture that is stable, but could use a little updating. That's really been the problem with the current front office and the McCarthy coaching staff. Harbaugh would shake it up without dismantling it. His passion for the game would renew a system that has grown stale.
He's the right man for the job if the Packers are willing to spend the money to get him out of Michigan.
