Many in the media pretended that Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL was inevitable well before Michigan football’s victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night.
A contract extension between Harbaugh and the university had been discussed for a while, but it had never been signed. The rumour that Harbaugh may have coached his final game in Ann Arbour has only gained fuel from this.
But, according to SI’s Michael Rosenberg, there are others close to the ninth-year Michigan head coach who believe he’d want to stay the head coach of the Wolverines.
There’s a feeling among NFL circles that Jim Harbaugh is prepared to go back to the big leagues. He recently guided Michigan to the national title. He has expressed his desire to win the Super Bowl. Over the past two winters, he has spoken with NFL teams. The extension Michigan gave him last month has not yet been signed by him, despite the fact that he recently hired Don Yee, an agent with vast expertise negotiating NFL contracts.
However, the perception of Harbaugh and the Michigan programme is entirely different: although he has the option to go, he would much rather stay.
Why has Harbaugh not accepted the new contract if that is the case?
If you haven’t noticed, the Michigan football programme has been the target of scrutiny from the NCAA for more than a year. Throughout both inquiries, Harbaugh has maintained his innocence.
That might be a matter of contention. According to Rosenberg, Harbaugh wants to make sure that his position in Ann Arbour is safe even in the event that the NCAA takes an extraordinary action.
According to those with knowledge of the talks, Harbaugh is seeking a contractual guarantee that Michigan cannot terminate him “for cause” if the NCAA takes a tough stance against him based on material the institution already possesses.
Well, since Harbaugh arrived, there have undoubtedly been NFL rumours, with the exception of the 2021 offseason. He has interviewed for NFL positions each of the previous two years, but he has stayed the head coach of the maize and blue.
Furthermore, it’s hardly shocking that Harbaugh hasn’t signed his contract extension during his team’s championship run. Throughout the season, the mysterious coach has a tendency to have a “one-track mind” and focuses only on football.
Considering that Harbaugh has won a championship, would it be shocking if he left?
Naturally, no.
Undoubtedly, he would like to enlarge his collection of trophies by adding a Super Bowl victory. However, we believe there is just as much chance that he will decide to stay and carry on creating what is turning into a dynasty, if not in the Big Ten.
