During a difficult season that saw him suspended three times while his team marched to a perfect record and berth in the CFP National Championship game against Washington on Monday night, there has been much speculation regarding Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s future.
There have been numerous reports that Harbaugh is considering a move to the NFL, but Michigan is making a strong push to keep the coach who helped revitalize the program.
Jim Harbaugh has accepted a contract offer.
Many assume Harbaugh will leave Michigan after the national title game, but the Wolverines will not let him go without a fight.
Michigan has offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million contract, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. That would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport.
Harbaugh’s current deal expires in 2026, but based on this, it’s evident the program intends to keep him for the foreseeable future.
One of the most important aspects of this agreement is that Harbaugh would not be able to accept an NFL contract for the 2024 season. That would not, however, prevent him from pursuing a position in the NFL in 2025.
This isn’t the only option being considered by Harbaugh. According to Rapoport’s claim, there is another a deal on the table for a shorter, undefined period of time valued around $11 million per year.
NCAA probe into Jim Harbaugh
Michigan slapped a three-game suspension on Harbaugh to begin the season, but the coach might face additional punishment from the NCAA while the Wolverines await the NCAA’s final verdict on the 2020 recruiting breaches.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbaugh purportedly met with recruits in an Ann Arbor cheeseburger shop during the dead period.
The NCAA recently sent Michigan a Notice of Allegations, which includes a Level 1 violation for Harbaugh “providing false or inaccurate details to the NCAA,” one of the most serious infractions for a coach.
College football coaches with the highest salaries in 2023
Harbaugh is now the NCAA’s 12th highest-paid football coach, with a salary of $8,254,600, a maximum bonus of $3,275,000, $2,200,000 in bonuses paid, and a buyout of $27,236,892.
Here are the highest-paid college football coaches in 2023.
| Name | School | 2023 Salary |
| Nick Saban | Alabama | $11,107,000 |
| Dabo Swinney | Clemson | $10,758,575 |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | $10,505,600 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | $10,196,250 |
| Mel Tucker* | Michigan State | $10,015,350 |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | $9,975,000 |
| Jimbo Fisher | Texas A&M | $9,150,000 |
| Mark Stoops | Kentucky | $9,013,600 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | $9,000,000 |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $9,000,000 |
Will Jim Harbaugh get hired by the NFL?
If Harbaugh does return to the NFL this season, he may face a ban related to any NCAA sanctions imposed on him. The NFL stated earlier this year that it would not serve as a “safe harbor” for Harbaugh, despite the fact that the league is under no obligation to uphold NCAA sanctions.
Potential landing locations for Harbaugh include the Bears, Panthers, and Chargers, however the list of suitors will grow if Harbaugh decides to return to the NFL.
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