Dolphins Rumors: Jim Harbaugh Won’t Replace Brian Flores After Black Monday Firing

Will Jim Harbaugh replace Brian Flores in Miami? That’s the question many are asking after the Dolphins fired their head coach on Black Monday.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a Michigan alum, and Harbaugh just led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff. Recent rumors have suggested that Harbaugh might be interested in making a return to the NFL, where he almost won a Super Bowl as the San Francisco 49ers head coach.

Text from a former NFL GM:

"Only way firing Flores makes sense is if [Miami] already have a new HC lined up. I bet it is Harbaugh."
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 10, 2022

I understand why people are tying Brian Flores’ firing to Jim Harbaugh’s availability, but I’m told the Dolphins move on Flores is totally unrelated. Steve Ross won’t be the owner that poaches Harbaugh from Michigan.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2022

“I’m not going to be the person who takes Jim Harbaugh away from Michigan,” Ross told reporters Monday morning when addressing his decision to fire Flores.

Reports indicate that Flores’ firing had nothing to do with Miami looking to target Harbaugh. Flores was let go amid his deteriorating relationship with general manager Chris Grier, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Flores’ firing seemingly came out of nowhere, given how Miami performed under the coach. The Dolphins missed the playoffs in all three seasons with Flores at the helm, though the team often exceeded expectations.

"I made a decision today to part ways with Brian Flores," Ross said in a statement. "After evaluating where we are as an organization and what we need going forward to improve, I determined that key dynamics of our football organization weren't functioning at a level I want it to be and felt that this decision was in the best interest of the Miami Dolphins. I believe we have a talented young roster in place and have the opportunity to be much better in 2022. I want to thank Brian for his hard work and wish him nothing but the best in his future."

While I realize many are assuming Flores’ departure is tied to Harbaugh’s potential availability, I can assure you that is not the case. The Dolphins are not targeting Jim Harbaugh, per sources. The decision to fire Flores is entirely independent.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 10, 2022

From @GMFB: The #Dolphins fired coach Brian Flores, while they are keeping GM Chris Grier. pic.twitter.com/iS3KosqSbX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2022

Flores is expected to be a candidate for several of the league’s head coaching vacancies.

Harbaugh hasn’t coached in the NFL since he parted ways with San Francisco at the end of the 2014 season. Harbaugh went 44-19-1 in four seasons with the 49ers and never posted a losing record.

Harbaugh has a 61-24 record at Michigan.