There has been plenty of talk about the future of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh during a tumultuous season that saw him suspended multiple times while his team marched to a perfect record and appearance in the CFP National Championship game against Washington on Monday night.
There has been no shortage of rumors swirling that Harbaugh could take his talents to the NFL, though Michigan is making a strong push to hold onto the coach who helped revive its storied program.
Here’s everything to know about Harbaugh’s future and contract situation.
MORE: Michigan National Championship history
Jim Harbaugh contract offer
Many believe Harbaugh will be headed to the NFL following the national championship game, but the Wolverines are not going to let him go without a fight.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Michigan has offered Harbaugh a 10-year deal worth $125 million. That would make him one of the sport’s highest-paid coaches.
One of the key things to note here is that this deal would include terms that would not allow Harbaugh to entertain an NFL offer during the 2024 season. That would not, however, stop him from pursuing an NFL job in 2025.
This isn’t the only thing being offered to Harbaugh, though. According to the report from Rapoport, there is also a deal for a shorter, unspecified amount of time on the table worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $11 million per year.
Jim Harbaugh NCAA investigation
Michigan self-imposed a three-game ban for Harbaugh to start this season, but there’s still a chance that the coach could face further punishment from the NCAA, as the Wolverines are still waiting for word on the NCAA’s final ruling on the 2020 recruiting violations.
It was said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbaugh allegedly met with recruits in a cheeseburger joint in Ann Arbor during the dead period.
Michigan was recently sent a Notice of Allegations from the governing body that included a Level 1 violation on Harbaugh “providing false or inaccurate details to the NCAA,” one of the most serious infractions for a coach.
Highest-paid college football coaches in 2023
From @NFLGameDay: #Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is weighing a “no NFL” clause in his contract extension; Meanwhile, #Jets brass is set to return in 2024. pic.twitter.com/64lCqckBNr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2023
Harbaugh is currently the 12th-highest-paid football coach in the NCAA with a salary of $8,254,600, a maximum bonus of $3,275,000, $2,200,000 in bonuses paid, and a $27,236,892 buyout.
Here’s a look at the highest-paid coaches in college football in 2023.
Name School 2023 Salary
Nick Saban Alabama $11,107,000
Dabo Swinney Clemson $10,758,575
Kirby Smart Georgia $10,505,600
Ryan Day Ohio State $10,196,250
Mel Tucker* Michigan State $10,015,350
Brian Kelly LSU $9,975,000
Jimbo Fisher Texas A&M $9,150,000
Mark Stoops Kentucky $9,013,600
Josh Heupel Tennessee $9,000,000
Will Jim Harbaugh go to the NFL?
If Harbaugh does return to the NFL this year, he might not escape a suspension connected to any punishments levied on him by the NCAA. The NFL said earlier this year that it would not serve as a “safe harbor” for Harbaugh, though the league is not under any obligation to honor punishments from the NCAA.
Potential landing spots that could make sense for Harbaugh include the Bears, Panthers, and Chargers, though the list of suitors would grow if Harbaugh goes all-in on a return to the NFL.
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