Larry Foote is coaching on Sundays, and enjoying himself on Saturdays. The Michigan football great and co-defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers says "it's a great time to be a Michigander, some good football going on up there."
A Detroit native and former All-American linebacker at Michigan, Foote is full of pride in the Wolverines, who are 6-0 this season and 31-3 in their last three seasons under Jim Harbaugh. He said this week on 97.1 The Ticket that "the way they play and the style they play is getting back to how (football) should be."
Harbaugh, 59, signed a five-year extension with Michigan after pursuing the Vikings head coaching job in 2022, but a new deal could be in the offing. Michigan is reportedly working on an extension for Harbaugh that will make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten. His current salary of $8.25 million ranks 12th in the country and fourth in the conference, per USA Today. Ryan Day leads the way in the Big Ten at $10.3 million.
Foote says Harbaugh can name his number. Asked if he's in favor of a lifetime contract for Harbaugh, Foote said, "Oh yeah, whatever he wants. He should definitely be up there with (Nick) Saban. He’s earned it. Whatever he wants, give him a blank check."
Nick Saban is the highest-paid coach in the country at $11.4 million.
When Harbaugh was asked this week about a potential extension, and what could be holding up a formal agreement, he said on 97.1 The Ticket, "I’m like anybody, you want to be somewhere where you’re wanted and they like how do you things and what you do, and that gets reflected into a contract. We’re in the middle of the season and I’m very focused on that."
Having led the Wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten titles, thanks to back-to-back beatdowns of the Buckeyes, the only thing left for Harbaugh to do is lead them to the national championship. This could certainly be their year.
"We can run the ball, we got a good quarterback, we should be ready," said Foote. "I think it’s going to come down to Georgia again. Hopefully we don’t overlook like we did last year (in the national semifinal) and lose to a team that we should’ve beat. But I think them guys, the quarterback and the vets and the captains on the team, they’re going to lead them this year."