Big Ten Daily (Dec. 25): Massive Contract Reportedly Awaiting Jim Harbaugh's Signature
Jim Harbaugh has a decision to make. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the University of Michigan has offered its football coach a lucrative new contract extension — though it comes with a caveat.
Per the report, Michigan is offering Harbaugh a 10-year extension to remain in Ann Arbor. The deal is worth $125 million. For most of us, that seems like a no-brainer.
The contract still awaits Harbaugh's signature, though. His reluctance to put ink to parchment might have something to do with one specific clause.
"Yet there is a caveat, and it's NFL-related," Rapoport reported. "If he signed the deal -- which he has not yet done -- Harbaugh would agree not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season. The NFL clause would be one season only, but that's apparently been enough to drag out the process."
So, there must be some level of interest from Harbaugh to return to the NFL. There would be no other reason to delay the process — especially considering the time and financial commitment Michigan is willing to invest in its coach.
Michigan has overtaken Ohio State's as the Big Ten's top dog over the last three years. The Wolverines are 38-3 since 2021, winning three Big Ten titles and dropping just one regular season game in that span. They've earned a spot in the College Football Playoff each of those seasons, as well.
That level of success — along with the lucrative contract — is usually enough for a coach to sign on the dotted line immediately. But Harbaugh's resistance might stem from other issues.
Harbaugh faced two separate suspensions during the 2023 regular season. He missed the first three games because of alleged recruiting violations during the pandemic. That punishment was self-imposed by Michigan.
The Big Ten levied a three-game suspension on Harbaugh on the final three games of the regular season because of a sign-stealing scandal involving the Wolverines.
As if that wasn't enough, Michigan was just hit with a "Notice of Allegations" from the NCAA regarding those previously-mentioned recruiting violations.
Does Harbaugh really want to deal with that? Or would life be easier in the NFL, where he could make one more attempt at winning a Super Bowl? And, apparently, there's a suitor for the 60-year-old coach.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are eyeing Harbaugh as a potential candidate to fill the coaching vacancy. It's "unclear" if the interest is mutual.
Right now, most of the attention in Ann Arbor is focused on Michigan's College Football Playoff matchup against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. But Harbaugh's future is something worth monitoring, as well.
Big Ten Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Let's have some holiday fun in today's Big Ten Daily, shall we? After all, this is the Christmas edition.
Big Ten Network posted a fun, Christmas-themed video involving the conference's men's basketball coaches. Several were asked to detail the ugliest holiday sweaters in their wardrobes.
A lot of coaches provided great answers. A few others — like Matt Painter and Fran McCaffery — could be labeled as "party poopers."
Here's the video to put you into the Big Ten holiday spirit:
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