Jim Harbaugh says he won't leave Michigan for NFL: 'We have big plans here'

Jim Harbaugh said he will not leave Michigan to return to coaching in the NFL, emphasizing that he has "big plans" at Ann Arbor.

"This is a choreographed message that comes up at this time every year before signing day," Harbaugh told ESPN this weekend. "It's people spreading messages to further their own personal agenda.

"But I'm on record right here, right now: I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying at Michigan. We have big plans here, and there's a lot we want to accomplish."

Harbaugh has been spending his recent time recruiting in multiple states and said he has not spoken to any NFL teams.

But he is aware of the speculation connecting him to NFL teams, as has been the case during each of his four years at Michigan.

Related Stories

Nagelsmann extends with Germany, won't return to Bayern Munich

• Apr 19, 8:19 AM

Michigan gets 3 years of probation for football recruiting violations; case vs. Jim Harbaugh pending

• Apr 16, 1:27 PM

Jordan Montgomery wins in debut, Diamondbacks get 22 hits in 17-1 win over Giants

• 26 minutes ago

"I can't be any more clear about this -- it's not true," Harbaugh said. "I'm not going anywhere."

Harbaugh is 38-13 in his four years at Michigan and coached the Wolverines to a 10-2 record this season. Michigan finished at No. 7 overall in the College Football Playoff rankings and will face No. 10 Florida on Dec. 29 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Harbaugh, who turns 55 later this month, went 44-19-1 in four seasons with the 49ers and coached San Francisco to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII before returning to the college ranks in 2015 to coach at his alma mater, Michigan.