“Happy trip to Ann Arbor”

PASADENA, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh sidestepped another question about his interest in returning to the NFL on Monday, saying he just wanted to enjoy his team's Rose Bowl win.

Speaking to reporters after the Wolverines' 27-20 overtime win over Alabama, Harbaugh — who reportedly hired a top NFL agent last week — only addressed his immediate future.

Like what will happen in the next few hours.

“My future consists of a happy trip back to Ann Arbor, Michigan,” Harbaugh said. “can't wait.”

comments as Harbaugh celebrates his team's success — a 12-0 regular season, a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl — while weighing his options during the current NFL recruiting cycle. Saturday night reports from ESPN and NFL Network linked Harbaugh to Don Yee, a blue-chip NFL agent whose client list includes Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, leading the team to three NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance, and has indicated a desire to one day return to the professional ranks. Michigan offered him a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.

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“He's a one-track mind,” Harbaugh told reporters last week during a welcome party at Disneyland's Rose Bowl. “That's how we approached things. Literally, whatever day we're having, we're looking to make the most of it, take control of the day and go to sleep, wake up tomorrow and see if we can't take control of that day.”

Michigan (14-0) dominated Monday, overcoming the Crimson Tide's fast, physical style to win the battle for yards and tie the game with an eight-play, 75-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.

Then, in overtime, Blake Corum ripped off a 17-yard touchdown run and Michigan's top-ranked defense tackled Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe just short of the goal line to secure the victory.

“Glorious,” Harbaugh said to describe his feelings. “It was the right place we wanted to be. It's everything we worked for, everything we prepared for, everything we hoped for, everything we trained and worked hard for.

“It was not possible to refuse the team.”

Harbaugh's team was coming off back-to-back CFP semifinal appearances, both years ending in losses, and the backdrop of an ugly 1-6 record in bowl games.

Throw in the two NCAA investigations that led to Harbaugh being suspended three games this season, and the firing of assistant coaches, and the college football world seems to be gunning for them, and Michigan continues to defy the odds.

And Harbaugh, whether his future resides in Ann Arbor or not, loves it.

“It was almost an unfair advantage, because of all the things the team went through,” Harbaugh said. “We don't care anymore. Don't care what people say. Don't care about anything that comes up. We just know we're going to get through this because he has the unanimous support of everyone on the team.”