Jim Harbaugh assured Michigan officials that he is fully committed to the school after he flirted with the idea of returning to the NFL recently. If he gets the itch again, however, money is not going to stand in the way of him scratching it.
Harbaugh signed a contract extension with Michigan this week that runs through 2026. One noteworthy aspect of the new deal is that it has a very reasonable buyout if Harbaugh decides to leave Michigan. The buyout is $3 million in the first year and decreases each year after that.
Harbaugh contract buyout pic.twitter.com/t8QCWrgtwK
— angelique (@chengelis) February 17, 2022
Obviously, that amount is not significant enough to deter Harbaugh from leaving. If an NFL team wanted the coach, that team would have no problem paying the buyout.
Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. He basically admitted that he would have taken the job had the team wanted him. Despite that, he insists that will be the last time he explores the possibility of leaving Michigan for the NFL.
It’s possible that Harbaugh was simply frustrated with his Michigan contract all along. Either way, the school has left him a clear window to move on if he no longer wants to be in Ann Arbor.
Photo: Nov 16, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
