Looming contract extension for Jim Harbaugh still brings questions about Michigan future

A new contract is coming the way of Jim Harbaugh reportedly within the next month. As Michigan continues a season toward another Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance, an offer will be on the table. It’s something Harbaugh has been waiting for according to Chris Balas of On3’s The Wolverine.

“We’ve been hearing for months,” Balas began during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “‘Where is my contract? I don’t like being the fourth-highest-paid head coach in the Big Ten.’ Nor should he. He started to tell more and more in his inner circle and it gets around a little bit.

“To the point where it kind of forced their hand. And you wonder why it took so long, frankly. This is a guy that has been at the pinnacle of football in the NFL, in the NCAA.”

Until Mel Tucker was fired at Michigan State, Harbaugh was not even the highest-paid college head coach in the state. Ohio State‘s Ryan Day and James Franklin at Penn State are ahead of Harbaugh too despite his recent success against those two programs — especially the Buckeyes.

There was a time when Harbaugh had a more lucrative contract but Michigan was not performing at the level they are now. Following the 2020 season, where the Wolverines finished 2-4 without even playing Ohio State, there was an extension but Harbaugh’s base salary was cut in half to $4 million.

Less than a year later, a Big Ten trophy was back in Ann Arbor and Michigan was in the Orange Bowl, facing Georgia in the CFP semifinal. After accomplishing the same, Harbaugh wanted something similar to his old contract back based on his recent performances.

“He was pissed, flat out,” Balas said on the pay cut. “He took that hard. You would assume — you come back, win back-to-back titles, and you’ve got Michigan at the pinnacle again — that they’re going to rectify that and say ‘you’re our guy. We want you here forever.’ It’s been a slower process than many expected. Especially him.”

There is something Michigan could put over Harbaugh’s head when discussing an extension and it’s the NCAA investigation. A self-imposed three-game suspension occurred and more could be coming during the offseason. Recruiting violations, further than just giving a recruit a cheeseburger, could mean small sanctions are put on the program.

Michigan seemingly does not care and is willing to show its commitment to Harbaugh, no matter what comes out of the investigation.

“They could use the NCAA investigation as an excuse to say ‘Well, we want to see what the result is.’ It’s not going to make a difference whether or not you extend his contract. He should be the highest-paid head coach in the Big Ten. They know it.

“There are some people in the administration that went to the president — ‘We need to get this done. Jim wants it done.’ That’s why it’s going to happen now.”

Balas admitted Harbaugh does not have a “warm” or “fuzzy” relationship with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel. This has been other higher-ups at the University pushing to get the Harbaugh deal completed. Getting a vote of confidence from them via a contract, especially during the investigation, would go a long way.

“This is not Michigan thumbing their nose,” Balas said. “This is Michigan saying ‘You know what, we believe in our guy. Maybe he made some mistakes.’ A lot of people think it’s overblown. Yeah, it was about more than a burger but it was about illegal contact. In the grand scheme, pretty light. It was really the untruthfulness about it that got them in more trouble than the act itself, allegedly.”

Even with contract extension, NFL is possibility for Jim Harbaugh

With all that said, Harbaugh could still decide to not sign the contract presented to him. He is just wanting to feel needed by the school and the offer would help him feel as much. There is always the possibility of moving on in the near future, though.

“He loves it at Michigan,” Balas said. “His Dad loves next door to him and his family is right there and his kids are in school. He loves it. But man, there is that itch and he admitted it with the Minnesota thing a couple of years ago.”

Balas pointed to not having a Super Bowl on the resume after coming close with the San Fransisco 49ers. His brother, John Harbaugh, has a championship of his own with Baltimore — one that came head-to-head against Jim. Balas believes there could be a desire to get two and have something over his brother.

Jim Harbaugh has plenty of connections inside of the NFL to this day. Chicago and Las Vegas were both mentioned, two teams potentially looking at a coaching search this offseason. You would have to think if Harbaugh came calling, it would be almost a no-doubter considering his past.

“He’s got relationships with the Bears, where he played,” Balas said. “Las Vegas. An organization where he got his first coaching job. When he was vying for a quarterback coaching job at Michigan, he got passed up and set up with the Raiders, and loves that franchise. So, there are things to watch.”