Report: Michigan working on contract extension with Jim Harbaugh worth $11 million/year
Following a third straight College Football Playoff appearance, Michigan is reportedly working on a contract extension for coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh is reportedly in line to get $11 million per year for the next five years, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson. The lone hang-up, Johnson reports, is Michigan wanting “a commitment in writing from Harbaugh that he will not pursue an NFL job this cycle.”
The ninth-year Michigan head coach has often been linked to potential NFL jobs, ever since he departed the NFL following the 2014 season.
The interest has even sometimes hampered Michigan’s recruiting efforts at a key time on the calendar, something the Wolverines would presumably like to avoid if they can help it. Perhaps even contractually obligate it.
Harbaugh’s pending extension also comes on the heels of a thoroughly tumultuous season for the program.
The year began with Harbaugh facing a self-imposed three-game suspension related to NCAA violations that occurred during the COVID-19 dead period. After Harbaugh served his suspension he rejoined the team, only for more drama to surface.
The NCAA informed Michigan that it had received credible evidence of sign-stealing operation, one that was apparently headed by staffer Connor Stalions. The sign-stealing investigation quickly became the talk of college football for weeks, to the point that the Big Ten was considering taking punitive action on Harbaugh.
Eventually, a three-game suspension was settled on and Harbaugh missed the final three games of the regular season before returning for the Big Ten Championship Game.
But the bottom line is Harbaugh keeps winning and Michigan will compensate him as such with the new contract extension, assuming that final NFL hurdle can be cleared.
In nine seasons, Harbaugh is 87-25 with the program. He arrived in 2015 after a four-year stint coaching the San Francisco 49ers.
Prior to that, Harbaugh spent four years coaching the Stanford program, from 2007-10.