Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have faced their fair share of criticism this season, but it’s not due to a lack of success. While a sign-stealing controversy continues to cloud over Michigan’s football program, this is a Wolverines team that went undefeated and now ranks No. 1 in the College Football Playoff.
After leading the Wolverines to a 13-1 record in 2022, now Harbaugh has two consecutive years showing he can build one of the best college football teams in the nation.
Yet, the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into the sign-stealing scandal has some wondering if more discipline could be heading Harbaugh’s way. If so, would the coach finally return to the NFL after seemingly flirting with the pros every offseason?
While there’s been plenty of smoke hinting an NFL owner could throw a boatload of money at Harbaugh, it looks like Michigan is preparing to do the same.
According to Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel, Michigan has been negotiating a new contract extension with Harbaugh that would pay him “over $11 million” per year.
Yet, the deal isn’t close to completion, with several other negotiation factors still needing to be worked out.
Still, if Harbaugh does sign on the dotted line, it would likely delay any more rumors of him heading to the NFL for at least one more year. Not to mention, he’d become one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the sport.