Jim Harbaugh’s future at Michigan remains uncertain. However, regardless of whether he departs from his alma mater, he may still have the convenience of a feasible commute to his prospective new job.
The Jim Harbaugh Experience might continue to exist in these parts, which will likely cause discomfort among many football fans in the Great Lakes State.
FanDuel Sportsbook has named Harbaugh as one of the top contenders to take on the role of head coach for the Detroit Lions in the upcoming 2021 season.
At the top of the list, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, a metro Detroit native, shares +200 odds with Harbaugh to coach the Lions next season.
Other top candidates include:
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, is listed as a +700 favorite.
- The offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, Arthur Smith, has a win-loss record of 1,100.
- Lincoln Riley, the coach of Oklahoma, has a win-loss record of 1,100.
Last month, Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn, the head coach and general manager of Detroit, were dismissed from their positions. On Tuesday, the Lions revealed that notable figures Chris Spielman and Barry Sanders will play a role in the search for a new general manager.
Can you bet on the next Lions head coach in Michigan?
No, FanDuel is currently limiting the market availability to New Jersey only.
Last month, the Michigan regulators introduced “Team, Game, and Event Props” to the Sports Wagering Menu. However, it remains uncertain whether this particular market will be allowed once online sports betting commences next month. Due to COVID-19, the Detroit casinos, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, are presently closed.
Although PointsBet Sportsbook in NJ initially had the market available on Monday, it was no longer available on Tuesday. Saleh was favored at +125, followed by Harbaugh at +500. While betting on this market is currently unavailable in Michigan, the odds certainly provoke discussions about hypothetical scenarios and definite possibilities.
According to Mary Kay Bean, the spokesperson for the MGCB, operators will be required to submit a formal request to the board in order to have such a bet considered.
Without any more delay, here are the FanDuel odds for the upcoming Lions coach.
| Lions Head Coach Candidate | FanDuel |
|---|---|
| Robert Saleh | +200 |
| Jim Harbaugh | +200 |
| Eric Bienemy | +700 |
| Arthur Smith | +1100 |
| Lincoln Riley | +1100 |
| Darrell Bevell | +1200 |
| Joe Brady | +1400 |
| Brian Daboll | +1600 |
| Byron Leftwich | +1600 |
| Marvin Lewis | +1600 |
| Matt Elberflus | +1600 |
| Todd Bowles | +1600 |
| Dan Mullen | +1700 |
| Leslie Frazier | +1800 |
| Kevin O’Connell | +2000 |
| Matt Campbell | +2000 |
| Jim Caldwell | +2100 |
| Urban Meyer | +2100 |
| David Shaw | +2500 |
| Greg Roman | +2500 |
| Josh McDaniels | +2500 |
| Dabo Swinney | +2600 |
| Dave Toub | +2800 |
| Kellen Moore | +2800 |
| Raheem Morris | +3100 |
| Adam Gase | +3400 |
Jim Harbaugh to Lions would be… not well-received
Who is FanDuel trolling: Michigan State fans, Lions fans, Michigan fans, or is it everyone?
To begin with, Harbaugh’s achievements in the NFL are truly remarkable.
Harbaugh had an exceptional four-year tenure at Stanford before moving on to coach the 49ers, where he led them to three conference finals and a Super Bowl appearance. He made the decision to return to his alma mater, Michigan, with the goal of revitalizing its reputation and bringing unlimited potential and promise to the program.
Has it gone… alright?
Despite having a respectable .690 winning percentage with a record of 49-22 at Michigan, Harbaugh’s inability to secure a victory against Ohio State (0-5) and a mediocre performance against Michigan State (3-3) is concerning. However, it is surprising that he may still be considered for a contract extension.
Looking at it from the Lions’ point of view, a significant portion of their fan base consists of MSU fans who strongly dislike Harbaugh. Similarly, a large sector of University of Michigan fans also has reservations about the Jim Harbaugh Experience.
Lions fans? Oh, they certainly have their own burdens to bear.
Robert Saleh as Lions head coach? All the feelz
The Detroit Lions fan base, organization, culture, and history are immense. It would require an extraordinary and unique force to dismantle this franchise.
Perhaps an individual who was raised amidst the chaos can aid in lifting the Lions, a team that has only won a single playoff game since 1957, from their current state of despair.
Saleh, a native of Dearborn, Mich., was both born and raised in the city. He also attended Fordson High School, which is approximately 3 miles away from Lions HQ located in Allen Park.
Saleh’s coaching journey began in Northern Michigan, where he dedicated his time to various coaching staffs at both Michigan State and Central Michigan. Throughout his career, he steadily climbed the coaching ladder.
Last season, Saleh successfully led the San Francisco defense to the Super Bowl. However, this year, head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have faced multiple injuries, resulting in a disappointing 5-8 record. Nevertheless, Saleh’s impressive performance makes him a promising candidate who could bring some much-needed optimism to Detroit.
A long list of Detroit Lions head coach candidates
FanDuel has provided a list of 26 names, with Saleh and Harbaugh emerging as the top contenders. However, due to uncertainties surrounding Harbaugh’s position at the Michigan Wolverines, the head coaching position in Detroit remains open to any candidate.
Among the more intriguing dark horse contenders are:
- Darrell Bevell is presently the interim coach of the Lions.
- Joe Brady serves as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
- Former Lions coach Jim Caldwell and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer
- What do you think of adding another assistant from New England? Josh McDaniels, the offensive coordinator, could be a great option.
- Kellen Moore, the ex-Lions quarterback and current offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
- Adam Gase, the present coach of the New York Jets and a native of Marshall, Michigan, earned his degree from Michigan State University.
Some of these names are truly remarkable, especially Caldwell. He achieved a record of 36-28 during his four seasons with the Lions before being replaced by Patricia, who managed a disappointing 13-29-1 in less than three seasons.
The only certainty is not the failure of the new coach, although pessimistic Lions fans may consider it inevitable.
Whoever receives the call will be faced with a significant task.
