Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has continually shown interest in a potential return to the NFL, interviewing for several head coaching vacancies over the past several years. But it sounds like Michigan wants to make a pretty significant move to try to keep that from happening.
According to a report from Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo, Michigan is working on a potential contract extension for Jim Harbaugh that would give him a significant pay raise. But the catch is that it would include a commitment that he does not continue to pursue NFL job openings.
“SOURCE: Michigan is working on a contract extension for Jim Harbaugh worth $11M per year/5 years. The main hurdle remaining is a commitment in writing from Harbaugh that he will not pursue an NFL job this cycle,” Johnson wrote in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
SOURCE: Michigan is working on a contract extension for Jim Harbaugh worth $11M per year/5 years. The main hurdle remaining is a commitment in writing from Harbaugh that he will not pursue an NFL job this cycle.
— Richard🇬🇾Johnson (human) (@RJ_cfb) December 7, 2023
Harbaugh has led the Michigan Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten Championships and three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff. As the No. 1 seed in this year’s playoff, Michigan is set to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinal.
It’s worth noting that Harbaugh is currently facing two NCAA investigations: one related to alleged recruiting violations and one related to Michigan’s alleged illegal sign-stealing scheme. Harbaugh was suspended a total of six games this season in response to those investigations, both of which are still ongoing.