Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh hires new agent with deep NFL ties: reports

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is yet to sign an extension with the school and now appears to have taken a major step towards an NFL return

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has hired long-time NFL agent Don Yee to represent him going forward, signalling a possible interest in returning to the professional ranks, according to multiple reports over the weekend.

Michigan has been working with Harbaugh on a contract extension over the last several months, a deal insiders believe will last over 10 years and could be worth as much as $125 million, with the caveat that he not pursue any other NFL interest.

The fact that Harbaugh was yet to sign an agreement with that provision, combined with his now hiring an agent with deep NFL ties could suggest that the coach has an eye towards leaving Michigan and returning to the pro game.

Yee and Harbaugh also have a connection through Tom Brady, the former Michigan quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion who was the agent's most well-known client. Yee also represents Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

News of Harbaugh hiring Yee as his representative comes a day before Michigan, ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is set to face off against Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal game, with a shot at the national championship on the line.

Harbaugh went 44-19-1 as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, playing in three straight NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl. He also earned credibility as a coach by helping turnaround Stanford and then Michigan.

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