Schefter: Jim Harbaugh no longer a candidate for the Denver Broncos

We know the Denver Broncos made a second attempt at landing Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh last week.

It sounds like there won’t be a third.

At least, the Harbaugh and Broncos flirtatious relationship might finally be over.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter joined “The Drive” on 104.3 The Fan on Monday afternoon and said as much. Speaking to Derek Wolfe and Mat Smith (in for DMac), Schefter made it clear he no longer thinks Harbaugh is a candidate to become the next head coach of the Broncos.

“I don’t believe he’s a candidate any more for the Denver Broncos if that’s what you’re saying,” Schefter told Smith when he asked if Harbaugh was ‘out, out, out’ for the job. “Yes, that’s correct.”

That contradicts what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported over the weekend, saying “the door remain(ed) open” for Harbaugh and the Broncos. Again, Schefter says that won’t be the case.

Schefter also told Wolfe and Smith he doesn’t think someone like former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan is in play for the gig. Schefter said it never hurts to call and ask, but he doesn’t see it happening.

“Mike’s not going to come back and coach right now,” Schefter said. “I think Mike is a huge asset, he kind of likes to watch what happens with his son (Kyle) in San Francisco. I think that’s where he derives his pleasure and enjoyment these days.”

The Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett a month and four days ago, and still haven’t found his replacement. According to Schefter, it won’t be Harbaugh or Shanahan.

The search rolls on.

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