As we've laid out before, one of the most intriguing subplots to Michigan's ongoing scouting scandal is that the NCAA, the Big Ten or the College Football Playoff wouldn't have to drop the proverbial hammer for the allegations to have major and long-lasting negative ramifications for Wolverine football.
The NCAA investigation is still in its early days, but we're getting a peek into how that could happen.
On Sunday morning, the NFL Network reported on how the aura of scandal around the Michigan program could have a cooling effect on Harbaugh's coaching prospects at the NFL level, and now on Sunday evening the Wall Street Journal reported exclusively that, citing a person familiar with the matter, Michigan has rescinded a contract offer that would have made Harbaugh's the highest-paid head coach.
The complicating factor for Harbaugh specifically is that his program is now dealing with multiple concurrent NCAA investigations. Harbaugh sat the first three games of this season after the program allegedly violated the NCAA's pandemic recruiting dead period. That case is not expected to be fully resolved until well into 2024.
Even still, three weeks ago Michigan planned to present Harbaugh with an offer that would make him the conference's highest-paid coach "within the next month."
"I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter. At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community," Michigan AD Warde Manuel said at the onset of the controversy, 10 days ago. "This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Given (the) ongoing investigation, I'll have no further comments at this time."
Even given Sunday evening's news, there's considerable distance between Michigan rescinding a contract offer and a formal breakup between Harbaugh and the school. Michigan could always re-submit the offer in the event the NCAA somehow clears Michigan, or it could come back with a lesser offer at some point in the future. Michigan cut Harbaugh's base salary from $8 million to $4 million following a 2-4 campaign in 2020.
Michigan is 33-3 since Harbaugh took that pay cut.
"I reacted, 'No big deal,'" Harbaugh said of Michigan's Orange Bowl appearance at the end of the 2021 season. "Attacking each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind, as always. It didn't really mean anything to me. It's just money."
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.