Report: Jim Harbaugh should be considered ‘real candidate’ for Panthers’ HC job

Signs—reported ones, not stolen ones—could be trending towards what was once an unlikely union in Charlotte.

After firing Frank Reich this past Monday, the Carolina Panthers and owner David Tepper will be embarking on their second head-coaching search in as many years. And a name that briefly popped up in the first hunt may actually stick around this time.

CBS Sports senior NFL insider Jonathan Jones wrote the following on Saturday:

One name that wasn’t a consideration for Carolina last year but may be after these 11 games is Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Multiple sources who spoke with CBS Sports said Harbaugh should be considered a real candidate for the job.

CBS Sports reported last January that Harbaugh or his representation called Tepper with regularity as Carolina searched for a new head coach. Tepper took a call with Harbaugh, sources said, but it was never a job interview.

Before ultimately landing on Reich, Tepper reportedly received some interest from Harbaugh himself. But after dismissing a CEO-type in Matt Rhule just months earlier, Tepper didn’t seem inclined to hand over too much power to the next man—something Harbaugh would very likely command.

Will Tepper’s mindset, however, change with a lack of culture and continuity in the building?