Jim Harbaugh to Michigan seniors: 'Hope some of you are coming back next year'

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh seemed to hint Sunday evening that he is considering a return to Ann Arbor in 2024. At the Wolverines’ 2023 season award show, Harbaugh sent a message to his seniors encouraging them to run it back.

“I just wanna say, I hope some of you are coming back next year,” the coach said according to local news anchor Derick Hutchinson.

It has been speculated that Harbaugh could leave Michigan to return the NFL after this season. The coach has previously entertained offers from the pros in each of the past two offseasons but ultimately it didn’t work out as he stayed with his alma mater.

Many speculated that this season could be when Harbaugh officially decides to make the jump based on how the year played out. The Wolverines have been the subject of an NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations that resulted in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh to end the regular season.

Michigan finished out the season undefeated and earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. There it is set to take on Alabama in a semifinal matchup on New Year’s Day.

The Wolverines have made CFP appearances in the past two seasons under Harbaugh but so far lost in both semifinal matchups. Now they’ll aim to make it to the championship for the first time under his direction.

Michigan reportedly working on contract extension for Jim Harbaugh

Following a third straight College Football Playoff appearance, Michigan is reportedly working on a contract extension for coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh is reportedly in line to get $11 million per year for the next five years, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson. The lone hang-up, Johnson reports, is Michigan wanting “a commitment in writing from Harbaugh that he will not pursue an NFL job this cycle.”

The ninth-year Michigan head coach has often been linked to potential NFL jobs, ever since he departed the NFL following the 2014 season.

The interest has even sometimes hampered Michigan’s recruiting efforts at a key time on the calendar, something the Wolverines would presumably like to avoid if they can help it. Perhaps even contractually obligate it.

In nine seasons, Harbaugh is 87-25 with the Wolverines program. He arrived in 2015 after a four-year stint coaching the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that, Harbaugh had college experience for four years coaching the Stanford program, from 2007-10.