Patriots Rumors: Dark horse replacements for Bill Belichick

3. Jim Harbaugh

Former San Francisco 49ers head coach and current Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has seen his name in rumors in regards to returning to the league for years now. Eventually, you'd have to believe he comes back to the pros. But, for now, he seems very comfortable and unlikely to leave his gig in Ann Arbor.

Still, he has to be talked about. He is being talked about, therefore he's certainly a candidate, even though the likelihood isn't high that he comes to New England.

In his tenure with the 49ers, Harbaugh went 44-19-1 with a Super Bowl appearance. At Michigan, Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to a record of 87-25. Should he return to the pros, maybe a job like New England could interest him. Objectively speaking, the Patriots' gig is a high profile gig. Replacing Bill Belichick is no small task, and Harbaugh's overall pedigree and experience could lead him to want to give that a shot.

As a former NFL quarterback, too, Harbaugh would be a great candidate to help develop a new franchise passer in New England.