REPORT: Harbaugh Expected To Become Highest Paid Coach In Big Ten Conference

Jim Harbaugh has been one of the most successful coaches in the Big Ten during his tenure, and it sounds like his paycheck is about to reflect that in the near future.

It's one of those topics that was placed on the backburner following the NCAA allegations and the start of the 2023 college football season, but new reporting indicates that Jim Harbaugh is about to become the highest paid head coach within the Big Ten conference. 

Michigan Football insider John U. Bacon reported on Monday that two high-ranking U-M officials sent him this message:

"The regents, Warde Manuel, and President Ono are all in alignment that Jim (Harbaugh) should have an extension within the next month that makes him the highest paid coach in the conference." 

I just received this from two high-ranking UM officials: “The Regents, Warde Manuel, and President Ono are all in alignment that Jim (Harbaugh) should have an extension within the next month that makes him the highest paid coach in the conference.”
That should settle that.

— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) October 9, 2023

It's about time. 

After starting out as one of the highest paid coaches in the College Football, Harbaugh saw his salary cut drastically following the 2020 season where the Wolverines finished 2-4. He ultimately agreed to a four-year extension where his salary was roughly $4 million per year with incentives. 

In 2021, Harbaugh responded by beating Ohio State, winning the Big Ten championship and leading the Wolverines to their first-ever appearance in the college football playoff. The success of that season, combined with the fact that Harbaugh was shopping around for NFL opportunities, led Michigan to renegotiate his contract. Harbaugh agreed to a new five-year, $36.7 million contract that made Harbaugh one of the highest paid coaches in the conference once again. 

Harbaugh lived up to the pay increase in 2022, once again leading the Wolverines to another win over Ohio State, a second-consecutive Big Ten Championship, and another spot in the College Football Playoff. As we've reached the midway point of the 2023 season, it looks as though Harbaugh once again has one of the top teams in college football - and it sounds like the University of Michigan is set to pay him accordingly with a new deal within the next month. 

If Michigan and Harbaugh reach a new agreement in the near future, Michigan fans can look forward to an off-season that doesn't include speculation about a potential departure for the NFL. This new deal will all but guarantee that Harbaugh is in Ann Arbor for the remainder of his coaching career.