Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has agreed to a new five-year, $36.7 million contract with the Wolverines after flirting with the NFL over the offseason. The new deal marks Harbaugh’s return as one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. His annual compensation starts at $7.05 million in 2022 and goes up steadily to $7.63 million in 2026. In all, it’s more than a $3 million increase from his 2021 base salary.
“I love Michigan Football, the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community,” said Harbaugh in a statement. “My family and I are excited to continue leading this football program, and we are thankful for the support that our athletic department and university administration have demonstrated toward the team.”
The new deal includes multiple incentives. A national title will pay Harbaugh $1 million, as will a Big Ten championship. An appearance in a national semifinal and a Big Ten East title will net $500,000 each, and a New Year’s Six appearance (without a division title) will send $200,000 Harbaugh’s way. Harbaugh will earn $50,000 if he is named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the conference’s coaches and another $75,000 if he is named one of the national coach of the year by one of the major voting organizations.
Harbaugh led Michigan to its first Big Ten championship since 2004 and an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, where it lost 34-11 to eventual national champion Georgia. The Wolverines also topped rival Ohio State for the first time since 2011, while defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was named a Heisman finalist following a breakout season.
But Harbaugh made waves by interviewing for the Minnesota Vikings job on National Signing Day, the uncertainty of which led to offensive coordinator…
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