Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have been focused on preparing for Saturday’s matchup against the Michigan State Spartans. Thursday’s news about the NCAA’s investigation into whether Michigan violated policies relating to stealing signs and signals may not have anything to do with the ninth-year Wolverines coach, but it may be putting a pause on getting a new contract.
According to The Athletic, Harbaugh had been nearing a “massive” contract extension that would have made him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.
Before the NCAA’s investigation, the intention was to finalize the extension before November. With a week off in between their Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 matchups, this break was expected to provide an opportune time to make the contract official. Yet, according to The Athletic‘s report, the plan to make Harbaugh Big Ten’s highest-paid coach will now be put on hold.
Harbaugh makes $7.05 million per season, but every offseason, there are reports of him being linked to an NFL head coaching vacancy. Perhaps another extension could finally put those rumors to bed for a few more seasons.
As to the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten? It would have been Harbaugh’s upcoming opponent, Michigan State’s Mel Tucker, who made an average of $9.5 million per year, but he has since been let go. Now it’s Ohio State’s Ryan Day, who also averages $9.5 million per season.
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