After delivering a national championship to the Michigan Wolverines football program, many around the National Football League have presumed Jim Harbaugh will make an NFL return. Amid interest from multiple teams, though, one owner is trying to put a stop to it.
Harbaugh, who has been eyeing an NFL comeback for years, is a leading candidate for vacancies with the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. He’s also been mentioned as a possibility to take over as the next Washington Commanders head coach.
- Jim Harbaugh NFL record: 44-19-1
Related: Why Jim Harbaugh must return to the NFL
The interest in Harbaugh from NFL teams isn’t surprising. Even before he won the national championship at Michigan, the Wolverines’ head coach was a finalist for the Minnesota Vikings‘ coaching gig in 2022 and for the Denver Broncos’ vacancy last offseason. With multiple jobs open this offseason, a return to the NFL seemed likely. However, Michigan’s athletic department isn’t the only people trying to stop it.
Will Jim Harbaugh go to NFL?
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is pushing hard for Harbaugh to stay at Michigan. As the Wolverines’ athletic department gathers financial commitments to make Harbaugh a new contract offer, Ross is one of the driving sources behind the record-breaking contract proposals Harbaugh has received from Michigan.
The largest offer is reportedly a 10-year worth $150 million total, with a $15 million average annual salary that would easily make Harbaugh one of the highest-paid college football coaches ever. It would ensure one of the best coaches in the history of modern football remains committed to Michigan.
It’s not the only offer Harbaugh has reportedly received from the Wolverines’ athletic department. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also reported that the Wolverines’ coach received a short-term offer, which includes a rare NFL clause for the 2024 season.
- Jim Harbaugh college record: 118-46 overall, 89-25 at Michigan
Related: Michigan Wolverines coaching candidates to replace Jim Harbaugh
Ross’s motivation for keeping Harbaugh out of the NFL is clear. With Mike McDaniel firmly established as the Dolphins’ head coach moving forward, Ross doesn’t want Harbaugh coaching against his team. Instead, the Dolphins’ owner wants Harbaugh to remain at their alma mater.
- Stephen Ross net worth: $10.1 billion
Ross, a Michigan native, has donated to his alma mater for decades. After donating hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 40-plus years, Michigan renamed its business school the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. With his financial support and commitments from other boosters, Michigan is well-positioned to make Harbaugh a proposal that rivals any financial offer he receives from NFL teams.
