The Jim Harbaugh era will continue at Michigan, just not at the same cost.
Harbaugh and Michigan agreed to a four-year extension Friday that will keep him in charge of the football team through 2025, the university announced. The new deal reportedly slices Harbaugh's base salary in half and lowers his buyout figure should Michigan opt to fire him in the future. He can recoup most of his salary moving forward by hitting certain championship incentives.
“I continue to believe that Jim is the right man to lead our program in pursuit of Big Ten and CFP championships,” athletic director Warde Manuel said Friday in an official release. "Our program didn’t achieve at a level that anyone expected this year but I know those setbacks will drive the coaches, players and staff moving forward. Jim is a tireless worker and competitor. Following the completion of the season we talked for many hours on what it will take for Jim to lead and get us back on the right trajectory."
Harbaugh, 57, has been one of the highest-paid coaches in college football since returning to his alma mater in 2015. His $8 million salary this season prior to a COVID-19 paycut ranked behind only Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney and Ed Orgeron, winners of the past three national championships.
In six seasons under Harbaugh, Michigan has yet to finish higher than third in the Big Ten East. The Wolverines cratered to 2-4 this year and are 11-10 dating back to the final two games of the 2018 season. They were 38-12 through the first 50 games of Harbaugh's tenure.
Related
“There is work to be done and challenges to be addressed,” Harbaugh said Friday. “These challenges are being addressed as we continue to strive for excellence in the classroom and championships on the field, a message that I hope is noted in the language of our agreed-upon contract."
Harbaugh was nearing an extension with Michigan last offseason before talks were tabled due to the financial complications of the pandemic. That meant he entered this season as the only Power 5 coach in college football with less than two years remaining on his deal.
The uncertainty of his future spurred talks throughout the season that the two sides might part ways. It also raised concerns about recruiting, but Michigan still managed to land the second best class in the Big Ten, headlined by five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Harbaugh was said to be awaiting interest from NFL teams in recent days. It's not clear if any came calling. Now he's re-committed to Michigan, hoping to take the Wolverines to places he hasn't taken them yet.