By Andy Fenelon NFL.com
Jim Harbaugh is finished in San Francisco. And now the former 49ers coach is headed to his latest rebuilding project -- the University of Michigan.
» Jim Harbaugh, 49ers mutually part ways
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Monday that Harbaugh has agreed to take the Michigan job, although he has yet to sign a contract.
When the deal is signed, Harbaugh is expected to become college football's highest-paid coach, earning more than the $8 million per-year salary that was originally reported, sources told NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport. Nick Saban is the highest-paid college coach at $7.2 million per year. Harbaugh's number could reach as high as $9 million per year, according to Breer.
Oakland Raiders officials had hoped to speak with the coach before he left, Rapoport reported. It would have been tampering on the Raiders' part had they contacted Harbaugh before the 49ers' season was complete.
"There will be announcements made concerning those things," Harbaugh said Sunday night when asked about the Michigan job.
Per Rapoport, the Wolverines' hope is to have a press conference in Ann Arbor on Tuesday to announce the signing of Harbaugh. Harbaugh and his wife are expected to be on a 10 a.m. flight from the Bay Area to Ann Arbor Monday.
Harbaugh was a three-year starting quarterback at Michigan under Bo Schembechler in the mid-'80s, and led the 1985 team to a 10-1-1 record and a victory over Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, a result that netted the Wolverines a No. 2 national ranking. He went on to become a first-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1987.
Earlier this month, Michigan fired Brady Hoke after a 5-7 season -- only the third time the Wolverines missed a bowl game since 1975.
A once-proud football team will now turn to part of its past to restore glory in Ann Arbor.
Jim Harbaugh is finished in San Francisco. And now the former 49ers coach is headed to his latest rebuilding project -- the University of Michigan.
» Jim Harbaugh, 49ers mutually part ways
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Monday that Harbaugh has agreed to take the Michigan job, although he has yet to sign a contract.
When the deal is signed, Harbaugh is expected to become college football's highest-paid coach, earning more than the $8 million per-year salary that was originally reported, sources told NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport. Nick Saban is the highest-paid college coach at $7.2 million per year. Harbaugh's number could reach as high as $9 million per year, according to Breer.
Oakland Raiders officials had hoped to speak with the coach before he left, Rapoport reported. It would have been tampering on the Raiders' part had they contacted Harbaugh before the 49ers' season was complete.
"There will be announcements made concerning those things," Harbaugh said Sunday night when asked about the Michigan job.
Per Rapoport, the Wolverines' hope is to have a press conference in Ann Arbor on Tuesday to announce the signing of Harbaugh. Harbaugh and his wife are expected to be on a 10 a.m. flight from the Bay Area to Ann Arbor Monday.
Harbaugh was a three-year starting quarterback at Michigan under Bo Schembechler in the mid-'80s, and led the 1985 team to a 10-1-1 record and a victory over Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, a result that netted the Wolverines a No. 2 national ranking. He went on to become a first-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1987.
Earlier this month, Michigan fired Brady Hoke after a 5-7 season -- only the third time the Wolverines missed a bowl game since 1975.
A once-proud football team will now turn to part of its past to restore glory in Ann Arbor.