Michigan reportedly has offered Jim Harbaugh $8 million a year
Could the Michigan Wolverines be floating an offer to Jim Harbaugh to make him the highest-paid coach in college football?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Wolverines are offering the current San Francisco 49ers coach and former Michigan quarterback a $48-million deal over six seasons.
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 year average would be more than $800,000 higher than the total compensation Alabama's Nick Saban received in 2014. Saban's salary currently makes him the highest-paid coach in college football.
The salary compares well to NFL coaching pay too. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is the highest-paid coach in the league at $8 million a year.
As Harbaugh's time with the 49ers is possibly coming to an end after the season based on a multitude of reports, Michigan has been patient with its coaching search. While Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oregon State and others have made quick moves to hire coaches, Michigan has bided its time. And the longer that Michigan does so, the more it looks like Harbaugh could be the team's target.
Before moving to the 49ers in 2011, Harbaugh coached at Stanford for four seasons after coaching at the University of San Diego for three. He was a candidate to coach at Kansas in 2009, but the Jayhawks went with Turner Gill. In his final season at Stanford, the Cardinal won the Orange Bowl.
For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
