Michigan football's Jim Harbaugh explains lack of contract extension. Here's what it is - Detroit Free Press

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh's current contract is set to expire at the end of 2021?

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh answers questions from reporters on a Zoom call about playing football in 2020, COVID-19 and more, Wednesday, July 8, 2020]

Back in January, Jim Harbaugh received a 10% raise following his fifth season as Michigan football’s coach.

But the agreement itself, which is set to expire following the end of the 2021 season, hadn’t been extended — raising doubt about Harbaugh’s long-term future with the program.

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After all, it’s become a standard practice in college football for university athletic departments to lengthen coaching contracts to four years and beyond as a way of maintaining the perception of stability that appeals to both recruits and fans.

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh answers questions from reporters on a Zoom call about playing football in 2020, COVID-19 and more, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (Photo: Michigan football).

Asked Wednesday why an extension has not been finalized, Harbaugh responded: “I think there’s bigger fish to fry — for our athletic director, for our administration, for me as a coach.

Contract negotiations with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, Harbaugh revealed, were underway last winter?

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline during the 38-13 win over Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct.

More to the point, did Harbaugh damage his earning potential by not amending his contra before the world was upended by the virus.

But ultimately, I think people will realize the value of hiring a top-notch football coach.

That’s good news for Harbaugh, who was the third-highest paid coach in college football last season and earned less than only Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Alabama’s Nick Saban

It’s a record Harbaugh has a chance to improve if he sticks around for a while, which it seems he will based on his comments Wednesday

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