CLEVLEAND, Ohio — His team is ranked first in the country. He’s won three straight conference titles. And despite multiple ongoing NCAA investigations into the program, his bosses are offering a long-term extension that comes with a big raise. Who’s got it better than Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh? He asks the same question to the Wolverines after big wins. And the answer, in Harbaugh lore, is supposed to be “nooobody!” But if that were true, then he would’ve uncapped his pen already. And according to a Sports Illustrated report that surfaced Thursday, UM’s new contract is still missing Harbaugh’s signature for a familiar reason.
UM isn’t asking for much: SI’s Richard Johnson says the school is offering $11 million per year — $400,000 behind Alabama coach Nick Saban for college football’s highest annual salary — as long as Harbaugh promises in writing that he won’t entertain an NFL coaching job this offseason. But even though Harbaugh has called Michigan his dream job, and even though he explicitly asked for a contract extension earlier this season, he has not agreed to UM’s one condition — even if he’s the one coach in position to deny it.
Has Harbaugh forgotten how cruel his profession can be? Job security is supposed to be more valuable — and harder to find — than liquid gold in coaching circles. Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, both of whom are under fire after failing to meet their fanbase’s expectations in 2023, would sign a Michigan-esque offer tomorrow. Both own more playoff wins than Harbaugh (zero) and make less money annually than Harbaugh’s new contract would pay. Neither are facing multiple NCAA investigations into their program. And neither has as much negotiating leverage as Harbaugh, apparently.
