<
        >

          College Football Nation Blog

          Jim Harbaugh deal includes scheduled raises

          • Mitch Sherman, ESPN Staff WriterJan 23, 2015, 04:50 PM ET
            Close
            • Nebraska/Big Ten/Recruiting reporter.
            • Joined ESPN in 2011.
            • Graduated from the University of Nebraska.
            Follow on X

          Jim Harbaugh’s seven-year contract at Michigan ensures him a raise to more than $6 million annually after his fifth season and an evaluation by school officials to keep his pay in line with market value, according to the document released by the school to ESPN’s Darren Rovell and other media.

          Harbaugh is to earn $5 million in each of the first three years of his deal -- a $500,000 base salary and $4.5 million in additional compensation for contracted TV and radio appearances and an apparel agreement, among other items.

          The contract calls for a 10 percent raise to $5.5 million in January 2018 and another 10 percent raise to $6.04 million in January 2020, pending the market-value review.

          The total value of the deal is $38,069,000.

          If Harbaugh leaves Michigan for other employment, he must pay the university the remaining pro-rated amount of his $2 million signing bonus. For instance, if he takes an NFL job after four years, he will owe the school $857,142.

          Other terms of the contract provide Harbaugh with:

          • The joint responsibility with the athletic director to schedule games. The final decision rests with the AD.

          • The use of two automobiles.

          • $4,000 of apparel annually from Michigan’s official outfitter (currently adidas).

          • Use of a private viewing box for his family and guests at Michigan Stadium and 16 additional tickets to home games.

          • Private air travel for all recruiting purposes and up to 25 hours of additional flight time for personal travel. First-class commercial airfare for all other football-related travel.

          The contract allows for a salary pool of $4-5 million for his assistant coaches, with 10 percent raises after the third and fifth years of Harbaugh’s deal.

          Harbaugh’s incentives include payment of $125,000 for winning the Big Ten East Division, $250,000 for a conference title, $200,000 for a New Year’s Six bowl appearance, $300,000 for a berth in the College Football Playoff and $500,000 for a national championship.

          Additionally, he will receive $50,000 if named Big Ten coach of the year, $75,000 as national coach of the year and up to $150,000 for the academic performance of his players.

          The contract was dated Dec. 28, 2014, and signed by Michigan athletic director Jim Hackett and president Mark Schlissel. Harbaugh was introduced in Ann Arbor on Dec. 30.