Jim Harbaugh reportedly discussing extension with Michigan, deal not imminent

Jim Harbaugh is reportedly negotiating an extension worth over $11 million per season to stay at Michigan, but the biggest obstacle remaining is to get the head coach to contractually commit that he will not pursue an NFL job this offseason.

Even though Harbaugh helped Michigan to another undefeated season in 2023 and a third straight College Football Playoff berth, questions about his future in the college game have swirled again this fall amid Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. 

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Harbaugh was suspended for Michigan’s final three regular-season games by the Big Ten. He and the program initially challenged the suspension in court, but Harbaugh eventually accepted the suspension as the Big Ten closed its investigation into the matter.

The NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s alleged illegal sign stealing still looms, however. Its investigation is centered around former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who allegedly bought tickets to dozens of Big Ten games since 2021 as part of his operation to steal signs with recording devices illegally. A day after Harbaugh accepted his three-game suspension, linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired for allegedly trying to destroy evidence related to the scheme.

It’s unclear if Harbaugh had any role in the scheme. However, the NCAA informed Michigan in November that it found evidence that a university booster helped fund Stalions’ operation, causing the school to accept that the program could face heavy sanctions that could implicate Harbaugh for letting the operation happen under his watch, ESPN reported. The NCAA’s investigation isn’t expected to conclude until after the college football season ends, per multiple reports.

The three-game suspension from the Big Ten was Harbaugh’s second three-game suspension of the season. Michigan self-imposed a three-game suspension for Harbaugh in relation to the NCAA’s investigation over the program’s recruiting…


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Publish date : 2023-12-07 19:44:03

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