Michigan officially announces Jim Harbaugh contract extension
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh created some anxious moments when he flirted with a return to the NFL. He even interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings, all but admitting he was going up there to take the job.
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Instead, Harbaugh is back in Ann Arbor with an extended contract after leading Michigan to a Big Ten title last year.
Though details haven’t been released, Harbaugh signed a new five-year contract that runs through the 2026 season. The new deal alters the terms and length of the contract signed last January by one additional season.
“Jim has done a great job coaching and developing the young men in our football program,” Michigan A.D. Warde Manuel said. “Last season, Jim along with the staff and players delivered a memorable season that will remain with all of us for a long time.
“As Coach said, this is just the beginning. Academically, our program has been one of the best in the Big Ten and among the leaders across the country. We have graduated our players and they have been young men of great character who have done the right things. I have the utmost confidence in the direction of the program under Jim’s leadership.”
Harbaugh insisted after the Minnesota deal fell through he’d be back as long as Manuel wanted him. Manuel didn’t waste time in welcoming him back after restructuring the deal.
“I love Michigan Football, the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community,” he said today. “My family and I are excited to continue leading this football program, and we are thankful for the support that our athletic department and university administration have demonstrated toward the team. I appreciate all that our players, coaches and staff are doing to excel on and off the football field.
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“My enthusiasm for tomorrow, the day after and every day following is as high as ever, and we are ready to get on the practice field and start preparations for the 2022 season. Go Blue!”
Harbaugh led Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten Championship, the program’s first conference title since 2004, with a 42-3 victory over No. 12 Iowa at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wolverines made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, losing to eventual national champion Georgia in the Orange Bowl. U-M finished the year ranked No. 3 in the final polls, its highest finish since 1997.
Michigan won 12 games in 2021 for just the third time in school history. That tied the school record victory totals of both the 1905 and 1997 teams. The Wolverines won the Big Ten East Division title with a 42-27 victory over No. 2 Ohio State to finish the regular season with an 8-1 conference mark. It was Harbaugh’s first win at U-M head coach in six tries.
Harbaugh was named the 2021 Associated Press Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year, the George Munger Coach of the Year and the Bobby Dodd Trophy.
Harbaugh has guided the program to a 61-24 overall record In seven seasons at Michigan (2015-21). Four of those have been 10-win campaigns. Seven of his players players earned first-team All-America honors and a total of 80 Wolverines collected All-Big Ten accolades during his tenure. In addition, Jake Butt, Jabrill Peppers, Aidan Hutchinson and Jake Moody won individual national awards. Peppers and Hutchinson, too, finished in the top five of the Heisman Trophy balloting, including Hutchinson’s runner-up finish this year.
