If there was any doubt about Jim Harbaugh’s desire to stay in Michigan, he did his best to squash it this week.
Harbaugh made his weekly appearance on the WXYT-FM morning show “Stoney and Jasen” Tuesday in Detroit, and was asked, “When it comes down to it, do you want to coach this soccer team next year?”
“Yes,” replied Harbaugh. “Yes Yes.”
The comments come after Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that questions about his future in Michigan have raised potential recruits. The NCAA’s early signing period for high school seniors begins Wednesday, with the class compiling Michigan in ninth place according to recruiting service 247Sports.
“And I tell them, ‘My plan is to commit to Michigan,’” said Harbaugh. “I have been, am and will remain.”
Both Harbaugh and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel have said they plan to discuss a contract extension after the Wolverines’ season ends. The final game for the team’s regular season is scheduled for Saturday at No. 16 Iowa (7pm, ESPN).
“Warde and I will sit down at the end of the season and talk about the current contract,” Harbaugh said on Monday. “That’s the truth. That’s where it stands.”
Lake: Ahead of the Michigan season finale, Jim Harbaugh isn’t talking about QB
Harbaugh is on the verge of completing the sixth season of his original seven-year contract, a contract that will set him back about $ 8 million by 2021. He is one of the highest paid college football coaches in the country, despite being Michigan in the middle of a 2-4 season and without a Big Ten championship during his tenure.
“I said I really liked this team,” Harbaugh told “The Ticket.” “I mean, I love this team. Most impressed with how they treated themselves; with how they handled many of the setbacks. “
Yet things have gone wrong on the field. A series of early-season optouts and injuries left Michigan exhausted in several positions, while unsatisfactory quarterback play plagued the offense.
A season-opening win in Minnesota was followed by three consecutive losses, including a skewed home loss to Wisconsin and loss to Michigan State and first-year coach Mel Tucker. Its final blow came nearly three weeks ago, when it dropped a game to previously scoreless Penn State.
‘We’re still in it. We are still in the season, ”continued Harbaugh. “There are a lot of people in general – even in the football world – as soon as the new year starts, or the next year begins, they get very passionate about what their resolutions will be. They will catch fire, do more, work harder. But we are still in it. Let’s catch fire, let’s get passionate and we’ll do it today, tomorrow, the next day, while we’re still in season. That can start today. “
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If Saturday’s game is played, it would likely be the last game of what has been a delayed, interrupted and shortened season for Michigan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A breakout in the team prompted the Wolverines to cancel games against Maryland and Ohio State, with the latter forcing the Big Ten to relax the rule requiring teams to play six games to qualify for the championship. As a result, Ohio State, at 5-0 and No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, will play for a Big Ten Championship on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh continues to face criticism from an increasingly frustrated and impatient Michigan fan base.
When asked about this on WXYT radio this week, Harbaugh said, “I’ll talk to the fan base. They have been so supportive of me. They love Michigan. We’re on the same team. “
Harbaugh continued, “I think they would really love our players if they knew them all. They are inspiring. I am inspired by it. We will keep pushing. And that continues today. That will continue tomorrow and the next day, and all the way to Saturday – and beyond. “
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