Jim Harbaugh has not coached in the NFL in nearly a decade, but he remains one of the more intriguing potential candidates in the upcoming head-coach hiring cycle.
As the current Michigan coach prepares his team for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, he is also considering a huge decision.
According to sources, Harbaugh, whose current contract expires in 2026, has received an offer from Michigan for a 10-year, $125 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. However, there is one caveat, and it is NFL-related.
Harbaugh would agree not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season if he signed the contract, which he has yet to do. The NFL clause would only last one season, but that appears to be enough to prolong the process
According to sources, Michigan has also offered Harbaugh a much shorter contract worth around $11 million per year.
Harbaugh has pursued and entertained NFL interest in recent years, interviewing for jobs with the Vikings and Broncos during the last two hiring cycles, respectively.
Harbaugh surprised everyone when he announced his return to Ann Arbor last year.
“People that think we’ve done a good job and are pleased with the job that we’ve done here at Michigan, they’re going to be very happy to learn that we will be back enthusiastically coaching the Wolverines in 2023,” Harbaugh said at the time. “And for those people that don’t approve of the job we’ve done or would rather see somebody else coaching here, I think they’ll be most likely disappointed to learn we’ll be back coaching the Wolverines and in 2023.”
When asked about his future this season, he has always pledged loyalty to his current job. However, at least one NFL team is likely to be interested.
The NCAA recently issued a Notice of Allegations to Michigan for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period and failure to cooperate with investigators. According to NFL sources, the league is unlikely to provide Harbaugh with a safe haven, leaving Harbaugh, who also served a team-imposed three-game suspension this season, with the option of serving some or all of any potential suspension he might face in college if he returns to the pros.
