Report: Michigan pulled offer that would have made Jim Harbaugh highest-paid Big Ten coach

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was reportedly in line for a new contract that would make him the highest-paid head coach in the Big Ten before a sign-stealing scandal broke that has the program once again under NCAA investigation.

Now, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal citing a person familiar with the matter, Michigan brass have rescinded that potential contract offer.

ESPN added a bit more detail, noting that the Wolverines contract push accelerated the week of Oct. 8 prior to the NCAA investigation beginning. According to ESPN, the situation is “more on hold pending the NCAA review.”

The WSJ reports that school officials do not comment on employment contracts until they are completed and fully executed.

The news is just the latest in a fascinating tenure for Harbaugh at Michigan. Harbaugh had been feeling quite a bit of pressure at Michigan just a few years back, even seeing his pay cut during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then he finally broke through, with Michigan making back-to-back playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022.

Even currently, despite the off-the-field drama, the Michigan program sits at No. 2 in the country, 8-0 on the season. While the back end of the schedule is tough, Michigan is very much in position to potentially earn a third straight College Football Playoff berth.

What’s next for Jim Harbaugh, Michigan?

The question as to what will happen to Michigan while the investigation is ongoing is a fascinating one, given Michigan’s positioning in the College Football Playoff race.

The initial CFP rankings will debut on Tuesday night, and you can bet that will be a topic of conversation.

“I think you just nailed what is the subplot of Tuesday night,” ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show on Sunday. “The committee chair will be asked about it. You know they’ve already got the typed-up answer and I doubt it’s going to tell us anything we don’t already know.”

As far as the bottom line, Finebaum doesn’t know that he believes the sign-stealing scandal will even impact Michigan that much.

“All I’m interested in now is can any of this stick? Does any of this really matter? And, quite frankly, I don’t think it does,” Finebaum stated. “I don’t think any of this is going to stick to Jim Harbaugh. I don’t think it’s going to influence or impact the College Football Playoff. That’s what we’re interested in.”

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this report.