The news was made official earlier in the week – Jim Harbaugh isn’t going anywhere.
Harbaugh, who took over as Michigan’s head coaching position in 2015, will remain with the University through at least the 2025 season. He’ll be making a base salary of $4 million, with each year of the contract carrying a $3.475 million incentive-laden bonus.
And now, one of the greatest players in team history is making his thoughts known regarding the news.
Desmond Howard, who won the 1991 Heisman Trophy with Michigan and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, said that he expected a potential extension for Harbaugh following the dismissal of defensive coordinator Don Brown.
“I said at the beginning of the season that if they want to retain coach Harbaugh, the move would be to fire the defensive coordinator, Don Brown,” Howard said. “The defense has gotten progressively worse … simply trying to play a scheme that does not have the personnel in tow.
“So once I saw that pin fall, meaning Don Brown was fired, then I figured it was a strong chance that Jim Harbaugh would be retained at Michigan. And they gave him a chance to wait the decision, to see if there was an NFL interest.”
“So they came back with, like you said, an incentive-laded contract because coach Harbaugh didn’t never performed his previous contract. So they gave him an incentive-based contract Warde Manuel, the athletic director, agreed with it. Coach Harbaugh agreed with it and that’s where we are today.”
In his six seasons as head coach, Harbaugh has compiled a 49-22 overall record, while going 34-16 in Big Ten Play. But he’s earned scrutiny and criticism for a winless record against chief rival Ohio State as well as failing to appear in the College Football Playoffs. However, recruiting has been a positive. He and the Wolverines have 20 players included in the 2021 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 2 overall in the Big Ten by 247Sports.
– – Quotes via Garrett Stepien of 247Sports Link – –
