Jim Harbaugh on Colts' head coaching job: "Just stop yourself"

There has been a lot of speculation recently about who will be the next head coach for the Indianapolis Colts, and one very popular name amongst fans has been Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh played quarterback for the Colts for four years (1994-1997) and started 46 games, completing 60.7% of his passes for 8,705 yards, 49 touchdowns, 26 interceptions, and an 86.6 passer rating, also adding 856 yards and three scores rushing.  He was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 1995 as he led the Colts on a magical playoff run that fell just short of the Super Bowl, and he earned the nickname "Captain Comeback."  Harbaugh is a member of the Colts' Ring of Honor (inducted in 2005) and was the best quarterback the fans in Indy had seen until Peyton Manning showed up in 1998.

Furthermore, Harbaugh coached current Colts quarterback Andrew Luck at Stanford.  So because of Harbaugh's history in Indy and because of his history with Luck, Harbaugh seems like a natural fit for the job and one that many fans would support and welcome.

Harbaugh, however, doesn't want to talk about the job.  After Michigan's double-overtime thriller against Indiana on Saturday, a reporter asked him about the Colts' opening.  I understand it because the game was in Indiana, but after a game like that probably isn't the time to ask that question.  Either way, Harbaugh didn't let the reporter finish.

"Stop," Harbaugh said, cutting off the reporter (according to MLive.com).  "Just stop yourself.  No comment."

There are a few ways to look at these comments.  First of all, what would you expect him to say?  His team just notched a double-overtime victory to improve to 8-2 on the season, and moments later a reporter is asking him if he wants to leave the job?  He's not going to say anything other than an emphatic "no."  No coach is going to admit in the middle of their season that they want to leave after the year.  So Harbaugh's comments are no surprise.

Because of that, though, many Colts fans might look at it and say, "well, he didn't deny interest!" or something similar, and that's true.  But in this particular instance, I doubt that Harbaugh would leave Michigan after one year.  Granted, he's not known for staying in one place, but he is in his first year as the head coach of his alma mater and already has the program looking like they're turning it around.  I have a hard time believing that he would suddenly leave that after only one year - even for a job with a franchise quarterback already in place.

Harbaugh is a great football coach, but I don't see him leaving Michigan after one year.  Maybe he'd like to coach Andrew Luck again, and maybe Jim Irsay will make a strong run at getting him, but I seriously doubt that Harbaugh will wind up with the Colts.  I've been wrong before, but this one would surprise me.  Either way, though, one thing is certain: he's not wanting to talk about it during the middle of the season, especially right after a win.