For the first time in his tenure at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh didn't have to face any NFL rumors last offseason. He faced dismissal rumors instead. On the heels of a 2-4 season and an 11-10 record dating back to 2018, Harbaugh was on the public chopping block. Fans who had once hailed him as the savior wanted him gone.
Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel didn't go that far. They did slice Harbaugh's salary in half, reducing him from the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten to one of the lowest paid. They also significantly lowered his buyout, to the point that Harbaugh's five-year extension felt more like a two-year prove-it deal -- or we're done.
Then something funny happened. Harbaugh proved it. He proved he could beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff. He proved he's still one of the top coaches in the sport. And now the NFL rumors are back, with Harbaugh being linked to basically every team that's looking (or about to be looking) for a new head coach.
In contrast to years past, Harbaugh has kept mum. He's remained in the shadows rather than shoot down the rumors. So has everyone in his camp. Harbaugh hadn't spoken publicly since Michigan's loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl until Wednesday in Houston, where he was a nominee for the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Naturally, he was asked about the rumors.
"It's a little more enjoyable this year, compared to the rumors last year," he said with a grin.
Anyone pretending to know what Harbaugh is going to do, maybe even Harbaugh himself, is lying. He has reportedly told recruits that he'll "entertain" NFL opportunities, while still actively recruiting. He said Wednesday that he's enjoying a few days with his family "because we hit the road recruiting in the next couple days."
For Harbaugh, the sticking point at Michigan might not even be the money. Not his money, at least. The feeling is that he wants more resources for the program's recruiting efforts, particularly in regard to NIL opportunities, and perhaps some more leeway in the transfer portal. Michigan has notoriously rigid standards in regard to transfers.
Then again ... if an NFL team comes calling with $12 million a year (Raiders, anyone?) and Michigan doesn't offer a raise over $4 million a year, Harbaugh might have a hard time saying no.
Who knows!
But Harbaugh does know this: it could be worse.
