Report: Michigan prepared to offer Harbaugh lower salary, NFL teams reportedly interested
Earlier today, John U. Bacon teased that an update was due soon on Jim Harbaugh's status at Michigan.
This evening, he provided that update.
Bacon shares that Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has discussed a new contract with Jim Harbaugh, who is currently in the last 13 months of an expiring deal, that would include a lower base salary and buyout, and some provisions to hire top assistants as well as some large incentives for performance.
Harbaugh has been one of the highest paid coaches in college football for a few seasons now, making over $8 million per season, according to the USA Today Salary database. That salary ranked him fourth behind Nick Saban, Ed Orgeron, and Dabo Swinney and just ahead of Jimbo Fisher to round out the top five.
Based on that info, Bacon shares that Harbaugh now faces three choices. He can accept the offer and stay in Ann Arbor with a new contract and terms, negotiate the deal, or decline and take an opportunity elsewhere.
Bacon also notes that "at least five NFL teams have expressed an interest in him, though not clear if any have made firm offers." There are currently three NFL head coaching openings, and it is widely rumored that the Chicago Bears may wind up opening as well, and Harbaugh was drafted by the Bears and spent 1987-93 with the organization as a player.
Harbaugh is 49-22 overall in six seasons in Ann Arbor, and while he has three ten-win seasons to his name with the Wolverines, the Big Ten title and wins against rival Ohio State have been elusive, with inconsistent performances in other big games, including against in-state rival Michigan State.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
