New Details Have Emerged That Show Just How Close Jim Harbaugh Was To Signing Extension

Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh

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Jim Harbaugh is quite the hot commodity in the coaching market right now. And, after his last two seasons in charge at Michigan, how could he not be?

After nearly two decades of frustration for the Michigan Wolverines when it came to beating Ohio State, Harbaugh has reversed their fortunes. Big Blue has smacked Ohio State around the last two years en route to back-to-back Big Ten Titles and playoff appearances.

Of course, before Harbaugh returned to his alma mater for the 2015 season, he was a successful NFL coach. He came within a few yards from potentially winning the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 season. Things broke down there later in his tenure due to some things in his control and some out of his control. But, Harbaugh has proven to be a great NFL coach.

He almost was hired as the coach of the Minnesota Vikings last offseason, but they ultimately decided on Kevin O’Connell.

Now, rumors of interest from various NFL teams are back.

Michigan would like to keep him, and are working towards an extension. But, a new SI article revealed some details on those negotiations.

Here is an excerpt.

Pre offer:

Post Ohio State communications indicated to Jim he would be highest paid coach in Big Ten. Have the largest assistant pool salary. Lots of NIL support and support from University for the program.

First offer:

Getting to the contract. The first contract offer to Jim was a raise in base salary but not high enough to meet Big Ten peers and did not increase assistant coach salary pool and included a large buyout. The notice of allegations from the NCAA were well known, but after the AD was told they were coming anytime, Warde changed his tune and offered that contract. Harbaugh balked at it and felt he wasn’t wanted by everyone at the University like he was in 2015. He also doubted the Universities support of him specifically the AD. As a result he hired an agent and started communicating with the NFL as a backup. The details of the first contract were about 8.1 million base with incentives that could get him up to 11 million. Assistant coach pool was 7.1 million with incentives making it get close to 8.1 million. Buyout for coach was around 9 million.

Second Offer:

Now some time has passed and President Ono gets involved. Only then does Warde get moving more. New offer was made with a lower buyout (5 million), base around 9.5 million and incentives getting him to 12 or 13 million, an increased assistant pool salary of around 7.7 million and incentives getting to close to 9 million. Ono personally gave Jim support against the NCAA. Things were trending in right direction and contract was going to be signed. But lack of support from Warde and his antics caused Harbaugh to pause and look at Plan B just in case.

Warde refers to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel.

I can’t wait to find out where Harbaugh will end up coaching next year.