Nine years since they last faced off in the NFL, Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh both interviewed for the Denver Broncos‘ head coach opening in 2023.
Harbaugh seemed to be owner/CEO Greg Penner’s top choice, but Harbaugh opted to remain at Michigan for another season. Denver then hired Payton.
After winning a national championship with the Wolverines, Harbaugh decided to return to the NFL this year, joining the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s now set to face off against Payton when the Broncos host the Chargers on Sunday.
During his media availability on Wednesday, Payton was asked about competing with Harbaugh for Denver’s opening in 2023.
“I didn’t know — I only read what you guys read,” Payton said. “I didn’t know who the other candidates were. I knew they were interviewing a bunch of other candidates.
“I was thinking about the other teams that I was visiting. No, I had no idea. Honestly, I didn’t know. It was really more about the different teams that I had gone to and making sure it was right decision for me.”
Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014. He went 3-1 in four games against the New Orleans Saints during that timeframe, including a 2-1 mark against Payton (who was suspended in 2012 when San Francisco defeated San Francisco 31-21).
“He’s a fantastic coach,” Payton said of Harbaugh. “Obviously, his success speaks for itself both at the NFL level and college level. I was excited that he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division. He does a great job.”
Payton and the Saints lost to the 49ers 36-32 in the divisional round of the 2011 NFL playoffs. Two seasons later, New Orleans defeated San Francisco 23-20. They met again in 2024 and the 49ers won 27-24 in overtime.
“They do a great job,” Payton said when asked about the characteristics of a Harbaugh-coached team. “If you look up his overall career as a pro coach, [the] turnover margin is off the charts. They protect the ball, they’re smart and they’re well-coached. They always have balance relative to running the football and throwing the football.
“All the things that we sometimes — all the things that are necessary to develop a team and he’s done that wherever he’s been. If you got back to USD — University of San Diego — it’s just not an accident.”
Harbaugh went 144-52 coaching at the college level and he’s 46-21-1 in the NFL. Payton is 163-100, including an 11-11 record with the Broncos. Payton will be looking for win No. 12 on Sunday when he faces Harbaugh, this time as a division rival.
