Jim Harbaugh reportedly discussing contract extension with Wolverines

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and head coach Jim Harbaugh are reportedly discussing a contract extension.

It’s no secret that the Michigan Wolverines have had a disappointing 2020 campaign. After starting the season with a huge win over Minnesota, the Wolverines lost three of their next four games. During their skid, Wolverines fans have called for the university to part ways with head coach Jim Harbaugh, but that would be hard due to his lofty buyout fee. In fact, there was talk that Michigan was more likely to extend Harbaugh than to fire him. As it turns out, that was true.

According to New York Times bestselling author John U. Bacon, Harbaugh and athletic director Warde Manuel have discussed a possible contract extension that lowers his base salary and buyout fee but includes “good provisions to hire top assistants and large incentives with performance.”

Extension makes it easier for Michigan to part ways with Harbaugh

Additionally, David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press reports that this extension would allow the Wolverines to part ways with Harbaugh if the Wolverines’ play continues to go downhill.

Harbaugh was hired back in 2014 after his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers reached it’s end, and was handed a lucrative seven-year, $52.1 million contract. The expectation was that Harbaugh’s presence would help in the recruiting game that would in turn lead to years of National Championship contention. That hasn’t happened, as he holds a 49-22 record in his tenure at Michigan, and have yet to defeat the rival Ohio State Buckeyes since taking the job.

This season, Michigan lost games to Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin and Penn State. Their other win of the season came against Rutgers, but they did so after playing three overtime periods. Their season finale against Ohio State for this weekend was in flux due to a COVID-19 outbreak, but there’s optimism that the game will be played.

While some Michigan fans want the university to go in a different direction, this new contract extension provides an easier path to do so in case Harbaugh can’t right the ship in 2021.

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