Jim Harbaugh has a massive decision to make.
The Michigan head coach, whose team is set to face Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year’s Day, has reportedly received a gigantic extension offer from the school — with an NFL twist.
His current deal ends in 2026, and he’s annually been at the center of rumors to return to the NFL, particularly in the wake of multiple recent cheating scandals Michigan has been punished for.
Michigan offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million contract extension, according to NFL Network, which would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
But as part of the deal, Harbaugh would reportedly agree not to entertain any NFL offers for the 2024 season.
That stipulation would only be for the one season.
Harbaugh was suspended for the final three games of the Wolverines’ regular season this year in the wake of an alleged sign-stealing scheme helmed by ex-staffer Connor Stalions.
Harbaugh returned to the sideline for Michigan’s Big Ten championship win over Iowa.
Michigan also just received a notice of allegations from the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period and not cooperating with investigators.
Harbaugh interviewed for the Vikings job in early 2022, and the Broncos this past January.
He previously coached in the NFL with the 49ers, whom he led to a Super Bowl appearance before falling to the Ravens in 2013.
There will be ample intriguing head coach openings in the NFL, namely the Chargers, who already possess Justin Herbert as a star quarterback to build around.
The Bears could be enticing as well if they decide to move on from Matt Eberflus.
They currently own the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft (from the Panthers), which would allow Harbaugh to take his quarterback of choice if he’d want to move on from Justin Fields.
Panthers owner David Tepper, the NFL’s richest owner, will also need a new head coach and could be enticed to make Harbaugh a huge offer.
In returning to the Wolverines last year, Harbaugh expressed commitment to the program but left his future open at the same time.
“People that think we’ve done a good job and are pleased with the job that we’ve done here at Michigan, they’re going to be very happy to learn that we will be back enthusiastically coaching the Wolverines in 2023,” Harbaugh said in December 2022.
“And for those people that don’t approve of the job we’ve done or would rather see somebody else coaching here, I think they’ll be most likely disappointed to learn we’ll be back coaching the Wolverines and in 2023.”
