Is another new contract in the offing for Jim Harbaugh?
As Harbaugh prepares for his ninth season leading his alma mater just a year removed from signing an extension that placed him back among the highest-paid coaches in college football, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said Thursday that he and Harbaugh are working on a new deal. Harbaugh's current contract through 2026.
“Jim and I keep talking and we’ll continue to talk. He’s in the second year of a five-year agreement, but we’ve had conversations about that and at the appropriate time we’ll have an announcement. He’s in a good place. He and I have had great conversations. When we get anything finalized, you all will know," Manuel said, via the Detroit News.
Harbaugh, who turns 60 this year, has led Michigan to consecutive Big Ten championships and College Football Playoff berths. He recommitted to the Wolverines last offseason after interviewing for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job, with a contract that paid him $8.1 million in 2022 -- the ninth highest salary in college football. As salaries continue to soar across the sport, Harbaugh is not among the 10 highest-paid coaches in 2023.
When he was asked in February if he wanted a new deal to stay at Michigan beyond 2023, Harbaugh said he and Manuel "don’t even talk about that." But clearly, they've talked about it since.
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Harbaugh can command more money given his recent success. He also has leverage from another offseason of dalliances with the NFL, including a head coaching interview with the Broncos. Harbaugh is 25-3 over the last two seasons, second to only Georgia's Kirby Smart (29-1), whose $10.3 million salary this year ranks third in the country. Nick Saban leads the way at $11 million.
Just two years ago, Michigan sliced Harbaugh's salary in half with the program slipping. His future in Ann Arbor was in doubt. Now Michigan's outlook has never been brighter. The Wolverines are one of the early favorites to win it all in 2023 and Harbaugh is looking at another raise.
"I’m here as long as Michigan wants me here," Harbaugh said in February. And as long as they'll pay him what he's worth.
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