Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh still hasn't signed, but reportedly is close to signing, an extension to remain head coach in Ann Arbor.
The Detroit News reports Harbaugh is close to finalizing a 5-year deal with an expected base salary of $4 million per year.
The USA Today database reports that Harbaugh currently makes just over $8 million per year.
The Athletic reports Harbaugh could earn back up to his $8 million mark if he earns incentives associated with the new contract.
In bringing back Harbaugh at a reduced rate, Michigan signals to the world Harbaugh has not lived up to expectations -- but is staying the course anyway.
After arriving with gusto in 2015, Harbaugh immediately brought swagger, relevance and victories to a program that needed it, going 10-3 in three of his first four seasons and twice bringing the Wolverines to the cusp of a Big Ten East title with a shot at the College Football Playoff. But Michigan fell short in decisive games with Ohio State both times, and the second loss, in 2018, has proven to be a staggering blow.
Michigan went a respectable 9-4 in 2019 but finished third in the Big Ten East and did not win their bowl game. The maize and blue stumbled to a 2-4 mark in a shortened 2020 season.
Add it all up and you get a Michigan program that is a respectable 49-22 under Harbaugh but has lost the bravado, gumption and energy of the early years. As such, Michigan has not beaten Ohio State, has not won the Big Ten East, has not won a bowl game since 2015, has not finished in the AP Top 10 since 2016... and is set to bring back Harbaugh for another five years.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest coaching news.
Update:Harbaugh is targeting Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald to be his defensive coordinator, according to AL.com's Matt Zenitz.
Update:Harbaugh has reportedly signed the deal.