JUST IN: Michigan Football Could Land $900 Million Coach Amid Jim Harbaugh Rumors

Rumors concerning Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh’s future persist. The Michigan head coach has been connected to NFL head coaching opportunities yet again.

According to ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona, LSU head coach Brian Kelly is interested in becoming the next Michigan head coach. Harbaugh would have to leave his current position, possibly for the NFL. Kelly certainly requires Harbaugh’s departure in order to be considered for the Wolverines job.

“If Jim Harbaugh returns to the NFL, the Chargers are the scuttle.” If Harbaugh leaves to coach the Chargers and Michigan becomes available, or if Michigan chases Brian Kelly. “He’d leave LSU for Michigan,” Moscona explained in a social media video posted on December 23, 2023. “I can say that with certainty.

Brian Kelly would owe LSU $3 million if he departed before December 31st of this year. “Anything after that is $2 million,” Moscona added. “In other words, if Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL and Michigan says, ‘We want to hire Brian Kelly.'” Brian Kelly may walk away from his LSU contract for $2 million. And he’d take the position if Michigan offered it to him.”

Kelly left Notre Dame in 2022 to sign a 10-year, $95 million contract with LSU. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Harbaugh is seeking a 10-year, $125 million contract deal with Michigan.

Even if Harbaugh departed Michigan, the Wolverines would need to be interested in Kelly for a transfer to take place. The Los Angeles Chargers are the most obvious probable NFL landing destination for Harbaugh, as the team has already fired Brandon Staley. There will almost certainly be more NFL jobs after Black Monday arrives at the end of the regular season.

There are contradictory rumors regarding the Chargers’ interest in Harbaugh. According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Chargers are interested in luring Harbaugh away from Ann Arbor.

“The Chargers have expressed interest in Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh, per sources,” Schultz tweeted on December 20. “It’s unclear if the feeling is mutual, as Harbaugh gets set to coach the Wolverines in their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance.”

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there is widespread doubt in the NFL that the Chargers will comply with Harbaugh’s requests. Harbaugh would be returning to California as a result of the relocation.

“Let’s start with Harbaugh: He has ties to the Spanos family and would most likely be interested in this coveted job,” Fowler wrote in a piece titled “NFL Week 16 latest buzz, upset picks, early offseason intel” on December 20. “And he’d be a local draw for a team in need.” However, others in the league are skeptical that the Chargers will yield authority and/or match Harbaugh’s financial demands.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Harbaugh toyed with the NFL but ended up staying in Ann Arbor. The new contract offer from Michigan would preclude Harbaugh from seeking NFL positions in 2024.

“Sources say Harbaugh, whose current deal runs through 2026, received an offer from Michigan for a 10-year, $125-million contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football,” Rapoport said on Dec. 24. “However, there is one caveat, and it is NFL-related.”

“If he signs the contract — which he has yet to do — Harbaugh will agree not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season.” The NFL clause would only last one season, but that appears to be enough to prolong the process.

For Heavy.com, Jonathan Adams focuses on the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Lakers. His work has appeared on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated, among others. More information on Jonathan Adams