Report: Michigan Ready To Break The Bank To Land Harbaugh
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If the Jets want Jim Harbaugh they better say some prayers for the next 10 days and then get cracking.
Harbaugh, who is not expected to return to the San Francisco 49ers next season, despite having one year left on his contract, has reportedly received an offer from his alma mater, Michigan, that would make him the highest paid coach in college football.
Sources: #Michigan has made another run at Jim Harbaugh after he initially rebuffed the school. U-M has made an offer of 6 years, $48M. Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2014
The $8 million per season average would be more than the current highest paid coach in the college game, Alabama's Nick Saban, and would be on par with the highest paid coach in the NFL, New Orleans' Sean Payton.
All indications are the Jets will fire head coach Rex Ryan following a fourth straight season without a playoff appearance. However, Ryan still has two more games to coach, meaning the earliest he will likely get let go is following the regular season finale at Miami on Dec. 28.
The belief is if Harbaugh doesn't resign to take a college job, the 49ers will look to trade him. The Jets are one of several teams rumored to have legitimate interest.
Harbaugh has been successful everywhere he's coached, including an impressive run at Stanford before leading the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship game appearances, with a Super Bowl appearance following the 2012 playoffs.
However, he reportedly had a falling out with the front office long before the team started 7-7 this season and got eliminated from postseason contention. His return to San Francisco is viewed as a long shot at best.
Other NFL teams rumored to be interested in Harbaugh include Oakland and Miami.
Michigan is in pursuit of Harbaugh after having fired Brady Hoke. The Wolverines went 5-7 this season and 31-20 over Hoke's four seasons.
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