Jim Harbaugh, former San Francisco 49ers coach, has reportedly been offered a contract extension to remain as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
If Harbaugh accepts the deal, it would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in all of sports. The Wolverines’ head coach is currently pondering the terms of a 10-year, $125 million deal that would prevent him from returning to the NFL for at least one more season. However, Harbaugh has not yet signed the deal, leaving many wondering what his next move will be. Despite the controversy surrounding him this season, Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. If his team wins the championship, Harbaugh will have even more leverage in negotiations with his alma mater. With a reported $125 million already on the table, Harbaugh could see that number balloon even higher following a national championship victory.
The NFL Jump Would Be Just As Lucrative
While the proposed $12.5 million per year deal would make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in college football, it pales in comparison to what he could make in the pros. If he were to return to the NFL, Harbaugh would be the sixth-highest-paid head coach in the league. For now, it seems that Harbaugh is betting on himself by not signing the reported contract extension. But whether he decides to stay in college or return to the pros, it’s clear that Harbaugh’s success on the field has put him in a position to negotiate one of the biggest coaching contracts in sports history.
If Jim Harbaugh decides to make the jump back to the NFL, he will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after head coaching hires in the league. According to Colin Cowherd, two sources have confirmed that the Los Angeles Chargers would aggressively pursue Harbaugh during the offseason.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith went even further, saying that the Chargers would “instantly be better and instantly make the playoffs” with Harbaugh as their head coach. Harbaugh had plenty of success in his first NFL stint with the San Francisco 49ers. He guided the team to an impressive 59-36-1 record over six seasons, which included a Super Bowl appearance in 2013. If Harbaugh does return to the NFL, he will undoubtedly have his pick of teams to coach. With his proven track record of success and ability to turn around struggling franchises, Harbaugh would be a valuable asset to any team in the league. But for now, only time will tell what the future holds for this legendary coach.
