[jwplayer YqDFDIWU-XNcErKyb]
The big question with early signing day coming up on Wednesday is: will those who sign have the same head coach they’re signing with?
Jim Harbaugh’s contract situation has been up in the air, as Michigan closes out the 2020 regular season with a disappointing 2-4 record and a strong Iowa team up next in Big Ten champions week. He has one year left on his remaining contract — pretty much unheard of at either the college or professional ranks.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel had been working on an extension with Harbaugh before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the duo put it on the backburner. Harbaugh famously has no agent, so it’s up to both parties to negotiate and come to terms on their own.
Last week, Harbaugh and Manuel met with the media to discuss the cancellation of the 2020 Ohio State game, and both shared that they’ll get to contract extension discussions at the culmination of the season — meaning: after champions week has concluded, or perhaps even a possible bowl game, should Michigan get such an invite.
As far as Harbaugh is concerned, however, he firmly stated in an interview with WXYZ’s Brad Galli that he fully intends to maintain his current post in Ann Arbor.
“Yeah, it’s been well-documented — for months really, dating back to last January — that we’d have a conversation at the end of the season,” Harbaugh said. “My plan has been, is, and remains to be the head coach at Michigan.”
[lawrence-related id=31453,31450,31445]
Galli asked if it’s a matter of finalizing the contract, and Harbaugh demurred, essentially noting that the process of discussing where the program goes from here is commonplace — even if it’s unusual that neither party (until Harbaugh essentially, firmly stated his intentions to remain the head coach) had elaborated on their motives.
At this juncture, it’s assumed, but not confirmed, that Manuel will work to extend Harbaugh, so those conversations will be ongoing until the duo either reaches an agreement or is caught in an impasse.
“My understanding is — and it’s been well-documented — that’s what you do,” Harbaugh said. “Your athletic director, your coach — you talk about the future of the program. That’s what we’re gonna do.”
Watch Harbaugh’s conversation with Galli below:
One-on-one with Jim Harbaugh: his future at Michigan has an important step. He will meet with AD Warde Manuel at season's end. Is it a matter of crossing t's and dotting i's?
"My plan has been, is, and remains to be the head coach at Michigan," Harbaugh told @WXYZDetroit. pic.twitter.com/31gOibo27Y
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 14, 2020
[listicle id=31370]