With next season looking more and more like a make-or-break year for Matt Rhule, the Panthers’ head coach may be making anticipatory moves to stay employed. Jason La Canfora, of CBS Sports, reported that Rhule, and potentially other head coaches in the NFL, may set their sights on the University of Michigan opening, should current head coach Jim Harbaugh be drawn to Las Vegas. 
Harbaugh is currently negotiating with Michigan after he led the Wolverines to their first College Football Playoff appearance and their first outright Big Ten Championship since 2003. He had signed an extension at the start of the season to secure him in Ann Arbor through 2025, but, with mounting interest from the Raiders, the negotiations are giving Michigan a chance to convince him to stay. The Raiders are searching for a new general manager as well as head coach, following the departures of Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. Harbaugh isn’t the only target in Vegas, though. He’ll have to compete with interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who, despite a season of turmoil, led the Raiders to a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Jerod Mayo and DeMeco Ryans have also been mentioned as candidates.
Rhule’s interest in heading back down to the college ranks of coaching have not quite been a secret. Sources have informed La Canfora that Rhule was watching the situations at Penn State and LSU closely, in case a beneficial opportunity presented itself.
Rhule got his first head coaching opportunity at Temple in Philadelphia, where he had spent years as an assistant under Al Golden. He took his first Power 5 opportunity as the head coach at Baylor, following the scandal that led to Art Briles‘s dismissal. He took the Bears from 1-11 in his first season to 11-3 in his third season and rode that success straight to the NFL.
There are still many situations that need to play out. Harbaugh would have to leave Michigan. Rhule would have to decide to put his name in the ring for the vacancy at Michigan. Michigan would have to determine that Rhule is the best candidate for the position. None of this is guaranteed, but, if it all plays out, look for Carolina to be added to our 2022 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker.
Hypothetical interest in a job that isn’t open but people are speculating that that coach may have interest in a job if they are interested in him?
Welcome to the world of sports “journalism”. Gotta get clicks somehow.
This is dangerous, if purely speculation. If true, Carolina should cut bait now, instead of waiting. If untrue, this speculation could cost a guy his job.
Rhule strikes me as a guy who always has one foot out the door looking for the bigger pay day, but who knows if my perception is accurate?
Carolina can’t fire him. They’d have to pay him. He’s got a long contract. Different story if he leaves on his on
Carolina should not fire him. If he leaves on his own, he’s leaving a ton of money on the table, which is why this ‘story’ should be considered bogus. No one is that stupid unless he thinks Michigan would give him even more money, which would be absurd considering he’s a failed NFL coach with not a lot of experience.
After watching the past two seasons of Panthers football, I can say that Matt Rhule IS that stupid.
He has done a great job of it.
He went from creating temporary respect to Temple football to taking over a Baylor team at the lowest of lows.
Coaching is not about loyalty. Get paid then settle.
First ever college coach and pro coach trade about to go down.
Panthers trade Ruhle to Michigan, who sends Harbaugh to the Raiders who send Carr to Carolina.
that would be wild.
If it goes down I better get some compensation!
Now that is thinking out of the box.
Reminds of when Jim Mora Jr, then coach of falcons said on radio talk show..wa huskies was him dream job and would have to take it if was offered. The Falcons did fire him at end of season.
I am looking forward to a mid-season firing of Rhule, which would lead to the ascension of Ben McAdoo to interim HC. When that happens, I hope McAdoo switches to the slicked back hair again.
Could see Josh McDaniels taking a college HC job. Gets a really good pay package, gets to play exciting offence. Often if you do well it sets you up to get big money in the NFL
He also tried to get in on Oklahoma. He seems like one calculated guy who hasn’t done a lot. Like 11-3 at Baylor is something special.