Jim Harbo contract: Michigan extends his training until the 2026 season, bringing the deal to $36.7 million

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has agreed to a new five-year, $36.7 million contract with Wolverine after courting the NFL over the holiday season. 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 rises steadily to $7.63 million in 2026. Altogether, it’s more than $3 million more than his 2021 base salary.

“I love the University of Michigan football, the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community,” Harbo said in a statement. “My family and I are excited to continue to lead this football program and are grateful for the support that our sports department and university management have given towards the team.”

The new deal includes multiple incentives. The national title would pay Harbaugh a million dollars, as well as the Big Ten championship. Appearing in the National Semifinals and Big Ten East Championships will net $500,000 each, and a New Year’s Six appearance (no section title) will send $200,000 in Harbaugh fashion. Harbaugh will receive $50,000 if he is named this year’s Big Ten Coach by conference coaches and another $75,000 if he is selected as the National Coach of the Year by one of the major voting organizations.

And Harbaugh led Michigan to its first Big Ten championship since 2004 and an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, losing 34-11 to eventual champion Georgia. The Wolverines also topped rival Ohio State for the first time since 2011, while defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was named to the Heisman Finals after a breakout season.

But Harbaugh made waves before Interviewing for a Minnesota Vikings job On National Signature Day, the uncertainty saw offensive coordinator Josh Gates and defensive coordinator Mike McDonald leave for new jobs with the Miami Hurricanes and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively. war internally promoted For Joint Offensive Coordinators Vanderbilt hired DC Jesse Minter in the same position. Harpo reportedly told Brass Michigan that the NFL’s courtship was a one-time event.

“Jim has done an amazing job coaching and developing the youth in our football program,” said Michigan Athletic Director Ward Manuel. “Last season Jim, along with the staff and players, delivered an unforgettable season that will stay with us all for a long time. As the coach said, this is just the beginning. Academically, our program has been one of the best in the Big Ten and among the leaders across the country. Our players graduated and they were young guys with great personality who did the right things. I have great confidence in the direction of the program under Jim’s leadership.”

After a disappointing 2020 season, Harbaugh agreed to a four-year incentive extension that notably included a massive cut to his base salary, moving him from one of the highest-paid coaches in college football to a salary of around $4 million. In response, he got more than $2 million in incentives to win Big Ten prizes and appear on the CFP — which he did. Donated to Michigan Department of Athletic Staff Who made wage cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is no doubt that the success of the 2021 season, coupled with the approaching departure of Harbaugh from the NFL, has once again propelled him to the upper echelon of coaching salaries. With the incentives in place, his new deal actually brings him back to the level of earnings he made before taking a salary cut.