Report: Panthers owner talked to Jim Harbaugh about coaching vacancy

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper spoke with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh about his team's head coaching vacancy, a source told Joe Person of The Athletic.

Harbaugh will seemingly be in demand for an NFL return this offseason, with the Denver Broncos reportedly also reaching out to him about their job opening.

The 59-year-old is expected to leave the Wolverines if an NFL club offers him a job, sources close to Harbaugh told The Athletic. His buyout is reportedly $3 million.

Carolina fired Matt Rhule in mid-October after a 1-4 start to the season. He left with an 11-27 overall record and zero playoff appearances in two-plus campaigns.

Steve Wilks took over as interim head coach, but after leading the Panthers to five victories over the next 10 games, hopes of winning the NFC South ended with Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team had already been eliminated from wild-card contention.

After returning to Michigan last offseason following an interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Harbaugh said was done seeking a return to the NFL. He coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14.

The Wolverines were upset by TCU on Saturday to fall short in the CFP semifinals for the straight second season.