Colts could get Boost in Harbaugh Pursuit from NCAA

The Indianapolis Colts could get a boost in the pursuit of Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh from an unlikely source... the NCAA.

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh is arguably the hottest coaching candidate in the NFL. The Colts could get a boost in their pursuit of Harbaugh from an unlikely source: the NCAA.

While Harbaugh is being hotly pursued by the Colts, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers among others, his football program could be in some hot water.

NEWS: The Michigan football program has been under NCAA investigation & expects to receive a Notice of Allegations by Friday, source told The Athletic. Source says it’s relatively minor infractions but investigation also centers on the program’s response. -- Nicole Auerbach on Twitter

While the infractions and any punishment for the Wolverines football program could be minor, it's just another indication of why coaching college football has become such a headache.

While student athletes were in desperate need of more flexibility with their careers, the transfer portal has essentially put them all on the equivalent one-year deals. Coaches find themselves constantly recruiting their own players year after year for fear of them transferring. 

NIL money has officially turned big-time college sports into professional sports, while still having to deal with archaic rules of the NCAA and the spirit of still being students.

Four college coaches made at least $10 million before the season started. Jim Harbaugh's base salary of just over $7 million placed him 12th on the list of highest-paid coaches. 

When coaches are being paid $10-million per year, they're not overly concerned how they're $5-million NIL quarterback is doing in his Management class... except to make sure he's staying eligible.

Harbaugh could more than double, some reports say triple, his salary if he makes the jump to the NFL, with the added bonus that he doesn't have to navigate a litany of NCAA rules. 

The Colts face an uphill battle to sign Harbaugh, but they could get help from the governing body of his current employer.

Has Jim Harbaugh's time at Michigan come to an end? pic.twitter.com/SeY4DAOn07

— SportsLine (@SportsLine) January 4, 2023