Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly has a second interview scheduled with the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero amid continued contract discussions with the Wolverines. The Michigan Insider reports Harbaugh’s upcoming second meeting with Arthur Blank and the Falcons is a significant development considering previous conversations with the Los Angeles Chargers and the likelihood the NFC franchise could provide a higher salary than other options.
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick also interviewed with the Falcons.
TMI’s Sam Webb said this week on CBS Sports HQ that the threat level Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL is “greater” this offseason than it was last year. Salary implications and contract verbiage are major factors in Harbaugh’s pending decision, Webb said, along with NFL front office and managerial scenarios he may find appealing.
Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out a long-term extension at Michigan if certain expectations despite his interviews last week with the Chargers and Falcons, Yahoo Sports reports. Specifically, Yahoo Sports reports that Harbaugh wants immunity from termination if there’s any blowback regarding multiple NCAA investigations into Michigan football and a decreased buyout should he decide to leave for an NFL opportunity in the future.
The fact Harbaugh is still in talks about an extension backs up what Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuelassured Wolverines fans for weeks regarding his efforts to keep the national championship-winning coach around for 2024 and beyond. Manuel reiterated that re-signing Harbaugh was a top priority last weekend inside Michigan’s Crisler Center, the site of the university’s national championship celebration.
“To answer the question I heard about 500 times on the parade route, I’m working on getting this man a new contract, I promise you,” Manuel said.
Michigan’s power brass has been working behind the scenes since December on Harbaugh’s contract. The veteran coach briefly touched on his future prior to winning the national championship against Washington. Harbaugh is the 12th-highest paid coach in college football with a 2023 salary of $8.3 million.
Harbaugh’s continued flirtations with various NFL openings in recent years make him an easy target this time of year and given his prior stint in the Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers and multiple interviews with NFL teams last week.
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Harbaugh, who has won three-consecutive Big Ten titles and beaten Ohio State every year over that stretch, first touched on his career options earlier this season in November. He described a previous conversation with his father about coaching as long as he can, but gave no inkling on where that might be.
