Jim Harbaugh has met with an NFL team ahead of a potential return to the pros, but he remains locked in negotiations with Michigan after leading the program to a National Championship.
The Wolverines are desperate to keep their head coach away from the NFL but there is a sticking point, with Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports noting that the coach is seeking specific language that would grant him immunity from termination should there be any sanctions that could stem from the NCAA’s ongoing investigations.
Michigan is still the subject of a probe into recruiting violations, while they’re also being investigated for alleged sign-stealing. Harbaugh served a suspension for each of the aforementioned last season.
“Harbaugh has sought to have his contract grant him immunity from termination for any violation stemming from those cases. It additionally spells out any penalty he might face should the NCAA rule him responsible in any future case. That would include specific fine amounts for any Level I or Level II violation.”
The program has already offered Harbaugh a six-year deal at $11.5 million a season, plus performance-related bonuses, which will make him the highest-paid coach in college football. But he is looking to delay the start date of the new deal in order to keep the buyout clause in his current deal at $1.5 million, which is what NFL teams would have to pay Michigan if they want to appoint him.
The clause dropped from $2.25 million to $1.5 million on January 11 and the school wants to raise it to around $4 million. But the coach is keen on waiting until after February 15, when the NFL hiring cycle will be done, as he wants to leave his options open.
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Harbaugh interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers this week and could have meetings with other teams looking to hire a coach in the coming days.
