Michigan football: Jim Harbaugh won’t leave U-M over money, but ...
Every year, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel meet at the end of the year to discuss the season. According to WXYT Radio’s (and U-M sideline reporter) Doug Karsch, Manuel asks him the same question in each meeting — “do you want to go to the NFL?”
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It feels like the beginning … of a Harbaugh/Michigan contract negotiation
Last year, the Michigan coach came into the meeting and set the parameters for a new contract. It was his idea, in fact, for the new structure, heavily incentivized.
While the framework was his, Manuel and Co. entered with the same idea. Cuts were being made department-wide due to COVID, etc., and it made sense.
Harbaugh even donated his bonus money for beating Ohio State and winning the Big Ten to others in the Michigan athletic department whose salaries had been cut.
“It’s only money,” he said. “… I’d do this job [at Michigan] for free.”
And there went his leverage.
But as one source told Karsch, if Harbaugh returns to the NFL, it’s going to be for one reason only — because he wants the challenge.
“Jim is not going to leave because he’s not getting enough money from Michigan,” the source said. “Jim wants support for himself and his staff, and Michigan has the resources.”
Some have taken that to mean he wants more in the way of Name, Image and Likeness support. Though it’s clear that could be a great equalizer for Michigan, the same sources scoffed at the notion that that was the motivating factor.
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Harbaugh loves it in Ann Arbor. He had one of the best years of his life coaching this year’s squad, and he feels like he’s finally on the right track.
“My favorite saying in the world is ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’” he said after Michigan beat Ohio State, 42-27. “The will was very strong with our team. The way it feels now, it feels like the beginning.
“… Just everything about the team — it’s just always felt like the beginning. Accomplish one goal and the next. Winning each championship, and on to the Big Ten next week.”
He reiterated the same after Michigan lost to Georgia in the Orange Bowl national playoff semifinal.
But what’s the timetable for a new Harbaugh/Michigan deal, and will it get done? Here’s what we’ve picked up on that, the timetable and more: The Latest on Jim Harbaugh and The NFL
