Volin: Jim Harbaugh Longshot For AFC East, Raiders More Realistic
BOSTON (CBS) - As twelve NFL teams start preparing for their first playoff opponent, the other 20 teams get to work the Monday after the regular season concludes -- "Black Monday" as it is called, a day in which head coaches, general managers and front offices around the league get the axe.
With new ownership in Buffalo, underachievement in Miami and a change of scenery needed in New York, the division with the most turnover this offseason could very well be the AFC East.
The hot commodity in coaching circles is 49ers head man Jim Harbaugh, who will reportedly not be back in San Francisco for the 2015 season.
Having turned around the 49ers by bringing them to three straight NFC Championship games, there's no denying that the younger Harbaugh brother is one of the best head coaches in the NFL.
But San Francisco is already eliminated from playoff contention, and Harbaugh has apparently worn out his welcome with general manager Trent Baalke.
Patriots fans need not worry, because the Boston Globe's Ben Volin doesn't envision Harbaugh coming east to the AFC.
Volin joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich Tuesday morning to explain.
"I know Dolphins owner Stephen Ross loves Jim Harbaugh, but I'm not sure that Harabugh wants to take over the Miami situation. Frankly, I think Harbaugh and the Oakland Raiders is probably the top fit. I know his family wants to stay in the Bay Area, and he'll probably get full roster control. It sounds like the Raiders will not only fire the head coach (Tony Sparano), but general manager Reggie McKenzie as well," said Volin.
Volin adds that Harbaugh is intrigued by the Oakland job not only for the location and promotion, but for the tradition too.
"Another thing to factor in is Harbaugh actually got his start in coaching with the Raiders over a decade ago. He has a tremendous amount of respect for Al Davis -- he's one of his favorite people of all time. For Harbaugh, I think the prospect of coaching the Silver and Black might be a pretty cool thing for him. Other than that I think both New York teams will make a run at him. The Dolphins are going to make a run at him too, but I just don't see him going to Miami."
Listen below for the full interview, including the Dolphins' sour grapes after the Patriots loss and much more:
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