Cheating scandals, suspensions, NFL interest, doesn’t matter. Jim Harbaugh might still get a bag from Michigan.
Harbaugh has reportedly been offered a five-year contract extension worth $11 million per year, according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson. The main hurdle in the extension, Johnson wrote, is a written commitment that Harbaugh will not pursue an NFL job this year.
The news comes as Harbaugh has become a popular head coaching option in most NFL circles. Most recently, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported that Harbaugh is a “real candidate” to take the Carolina Panthers job. Harbaugh has also been linked to the Bears, who he played for from 1987-93.
The $11 million-per-year contract would make Harbaugh the second-highest-paid head coach behind Nick Saban. The deal barely slots Harbaugh ahead of Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($10.9 million), and Kirby Smart ($10.7 million). All three of the coaches in this bracket have won national championships in the last five years.
Harbaugh is also coming off a string of NCAA controversies. Harbaugh has served suspensions for two separate incidents this season. He missed the first four games of the season for making false statements to the NCAA. He was also just relieved of a three-game suspension by the Big Ten for an alleged sign-stealing scheme led by Michigan analyst Connor Stalions.
Harbaugh currently has an 87-25 lifetime record over nine years as Michigan’s head coach.
