Jim Harbaugh donating bonus money to Michigan athletic department employees affected by COVID pay cuts

Jim Harbaugh is giving back all his incentive money to the Michigan athletic department to help offset the losses the school suffered during COVID.

As the Michigan football program is one win away from its first trip to the College Football Playoff, head coach Jim Harbaugh is in the giving spirit.

Harbaugh and his wife Sarah plan to give back all incentive money built into his contract this season to those in the Michigan athletic department who had to endure pay cuts during COVID. He could earn up to an additional $3.475 million in bonuses if Michigan goes on to win the national title. His compensation outside of these bonuses has him at $4 million for the 2021 season.

Here is the breakdown of all the potential bonus money that could be going back to employees thanks to the Harbaughs.

Jim Harbaugh plans to give back incentives to the Michigan athletic department

News of the Harbaughs giving back like this has some Michigan fans very proud of their coach.

For as cool of a gesture this is, Harbaugh should not feel compelled to do this. This is a university with a $17 billion endowment. The university can easily pay the employees that took a reduction in pay without Harbaugh dipping into his pockets to cover their losses.

Yes, it is an incredible act of generosity but he already took a massive pay cut last year in an effort to help him keep his job.

Michigan takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday with a College Football Playoff berth on the line.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.