Michigan AD Warde Manuel tells championship celebration crowd he's working on new contract for Jim Harbaugh
The vibes in Ann Arbor couldn’t be much better right now, though one thing could potentially put things over the top for the national championship Michigan football program. That would be head coach Jim Harbaugh signing a contract extension and committing to stay at the helm of the football program.
And his boss and former Michigan teammate, athletic director Warde Manuel, wants the same thing that the crowd celebrating Michigan’s national championship wants. He made that point clear when he took the microphone during the post-parade portion of Michigan’s championship celebration on Saturday evening at Crisler Center.
“I will answer the question that I heard about 500 times on the parade route, I am working on getting this man a new contract,” Manuel said, pointing to Harbaugh. Fans in the arena obliged with a hearty round of cheers.
The head coach put his hands together and then put one over his heart, as if to say thank you. He also gestured toward his assistant coaches and players, giving them some shine in the moment.
Harbaugh has been suspected to try and leave Michigan for the NFL after making dalliances with pro football franchises the past two offseasons. The confluence of Michigan winning the national championship and some specific jobs coming open seemed to make it an optimal moment for Harbaugh to leave.
However, it doesn’t seem he’s closed the book on staying at Michigan, either. And though he’s already got a meeting set with the Los Angeles Chargers, it’s no guarantee of what comes next.
Michigan is reportedly trying to make Harbaugh one of the sports highest-paid coaches
Michigan reportedly offered Harbaugh a massive new contract late in 2023, but there’s a no-NFL clause for 2024.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh can become the highest paid coach in college football. However, he could not entertain a return to the NFL for next season, should he sign the deal.
This comes ahead of a pivotal year in the College Football Playoff where Harbaugh’s Wolverines are the No. 1 seed.
“Sources say Harbaugh, whose current deal runs through 2026, received an offer from Michigan for a 10-year, $125-million contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football,” Rapoport wrote. “Yet there is a caveat, and it’s NFL-related.
“If he signed the deal — which he has not yet done — Harbaugh would agree not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season. The NFL clause would be one season only, but that’s apparently been enough to drag out the process.”
Rapoport also reported Michigan offered Harbaugh a shorter deal worth $11 million per year.