As the coaching carousel turns, talks about Jim Harbaugh’s extension resurface

After Sunday’s NFL games, the annual NFL Musical Chairs Round begins. And that will inspire many college coaches to take full advantage of the circumstances, if only to improve their current situation.

Central to this year’s plot is former 49ers coach and six-year Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Weeks ago it supposedly got an expansion, but it still hasn’t. Now, as NFL teams start hiring new coaches, the problem has come back to the fore.

Bruce Feldman of TheAthletic.com reports that “[t]here is the optimism inside Michigan that Jim Harbaughnew offer will be packed soon with an extension until 2026. “

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports adds this wrinkle: “Michigan presented Jim Harbaugh with a five-year contract extension earlier this week, according to an industry source. Harbaugh has not yet signed the agreement. Throughout the process, he said he was confident his previous coaching success would become evident in Ann Arbor.

This last sentence suggests that Harbaugh is not thrilled with the terms Michigan offers. Previous reports suggested Michigan offered him a lower base salary but increased incentives based on victory.

With several NFL teams potentially interested in Harbaugh, who enjoyed quick success in San Francisco but only lasted four years with the 49ers, it is possible that he will make one last attempt to see what lies behind the door # 2 before making a decision on whether to do so. renew his commitment to his alma mater.

Either way, the fact that these reports are emerging now is no coincidence. Even if Harbaugh doesn’t want to return to the NFL, interest in him from NFL teams could push Michigan to sweeten the pot.