While Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines prepare for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama next month, the University of Michigan is reportedly focused on keeping its head coach.
Harbaugh has been linked to the NFL for the second season in a row, with several teams considering him as a replacement in the upcoming offseason.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson, the university is negotiating a five-year contract extension with the veteran coach that could pay him $11 million per year.
However, the contract would reportedly include a stipulation that Harbaugh not pursue an NFL job during the term of the agreement.
According to Yahoo Sports, talks are still ongoing, and a finalized agreement is not expected any time soon.
The reports follow the coach’s tumultuous regular season.
After serving a three-game suspension at the start of the season for NCAA recruiting violations, Harbaugh was suspended again at the end of the season amid an investigation into a sign-stealing scheme involving former low-level staffer Connor Stalions.
Harbaugh agreed to accept the suspension after initially contesting it.
Michigan finished 11-0 and won its third straight conference championship with a 26-0 thrashing of Iowa. The Wolverines will now attempt to win their first national championship since 1997.
Harbaugh has been mentioned as a possible candidate for several head coaching vacancies or upcoming vacancies.
The Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears are among the teams being mentioned. Rumors about Bill Belichick’s future with the New England Patriots after this season could lead to a different option.
Last season, Harbaugh was reportedly in talks with the Panthers before Frank Reich was hired to replace Matt Rhule, who was fired a few weeks into the 2022 season after two losing seasons and a 1-4 record to begin his final year with the team.
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