Michigan reportedly preparing major extension for Jim Harbaugh... with a catch
The long-awaited contract extension Michigan has been putting together to keep Jim Harbaugh finally has some details.
Sports Illustrated's Richard Johnson reported Thursday that Michigan is set to offer Harbuagh $11 million a year over five years, on the condition that Harbaugh puts a commitment in writing that he will not pursue an NFL job this cycle.
The former San Francisco 49ers head coach has pursued jobs at the next level each of the past two winters. There was a time when he was set to become the next Minnesota Vikings head coach, only to lose out on the job at the last minute. He pledged to AD Warde Manuel the pursuit of the Vikings job would be his last, but it wasn't.
And so it's understandable why Michigan would like something more than words of assurance that Harbaugh won't spend a third straight January trying to get a different job.
The question then becomes: What happens if Harbaugh agrees on the terms but doesn't sign the paper? Does this offer come with an expiration date on or around Jan. 10? If Harbaugh interviews for the Carolina Panthers opening, does Michigan reduce the offer or pull it altogether?
Michigan wants to see how committed Harbaugh truly is to Michigan, but how committed is Michigan to making sure Harbaugh is committed to Michigan?
This clause, well intentioned as it seems, reminds me of one of the first rules I learned about parenting: Don't threaten to turn the car around unless you're actually willing to turn the car around.
"You want to be somewhere where you're wanted, and where they like what you do and how you do it," Harbaugh said in October. "Your bosses tell you that and it gets reflected in a contract. The bottom for line for any of, right? We want to be somewhere where they like how you do it and what you do."
There is another aspect not mentioned here: the two separate NCAA investigations hovering above the Big House right now. Harbaugh served two separate 3-game suspensions over the course of Michigan's regular season, and neither were mandated by the NCAA. The result of the investigation(s) are expected some time in 2024, and so one can't rule out the possibility that Michigan and Harbaugh may not see eye-to-eye on the contract language in the event the NCAA drops the proverbial hammer.
Either Harbaugh will sign the contract, or he won't. Stay tuned.
