DENVER — It appears that Jim Harbaugh won’t be the next head coach of the Broncos.

The University Michigan head coach is staying in Ann Arbor, according to the school’s president Santo Ono.

“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” Ono said in a statement Monday.

Harbaugh interviewed virtually for the Broncos’ head coach opening last week, Jan. 9. He was considered to be one of Denver’s top candidates. Harbaugh called Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner Monday morning to inform him of his decision. 

“I love the relationships that I have at Michigan — coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “My heart is at the University of Michigan.”

The Broncos still have seven other candidates on their list — Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, former Saints coach Sean Payton, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell, former Stanford head coach David Shaw, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Denver has already interviewed Evero, Caldwell and Shaw, and have interviews this week with Payton, Morris, Quinn and Ryans. 

With Harbaugh out of the race — whom many believed to be the Broncos’ No. 1 choice — their attention shifts to Payton, one of the top candidates this cycle. Payton has been requested to interview for every opening except the Colts, planning to speak with the Broncos on Tuesday and setting up interviews with the Cardinals, Texans and Panthers. 

The other favorite is Quinn, who was a finalist for the Broncos’ job a year ago. Quinn, unlike Payton, has only been requested by the Broncos. Though, he has closer connections to the Broncos than any other candidate, having worked with GM George Paton and quarterback Russell Wilson. 

The timeline for when the Broncos plan to hire a coach is unknown and could depend on playoff results. They will finish their first-round of interviews this week and likely have a smaller group of finalist next week. 

But one thing is clear — one of their top targets is no longer an option. 

Who’s Next?

After Michigan declared Jim Harbaugh is staying in Ann Arbor, here is the Broncos’ interview schedule for this week:

Tuesday: Sean Payton, Raheem Morris

Thursday: DeMeco Ryans

Friday: Dan Quinn