Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines football program are currently facing multiple NCAA investigations into alleged recruiting violations as well as the high-profile sign-stealing scandal that broke earlier this year. Harbaugh has proclaimed the team’s innocence in the investigations, but a contract clause he is seeking from Michigan seems to indicate the opposite.
According to a report from Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, Jim Harbaugh is seeking a clause from Michigan that would grant him immunity from getting fired as a result of NCAA punishment.
“Even as Jim Harbaugh meets with NFL teams about coaching opportunities, specifically the Los Angeles Chargers early this week, he remains engaged in discussions with Michigan about a contract extension that includes unusual termination clauses should he choose to stay in Ann Arbor, according to industry sources,” Wetzel wrote for Yahoo Sports on Tuesday.
“Specifically, sources said Harbaugh is seeking language that would grant him immunity from termination from any finding or sanction that could arise from multiple current NCAA investigations into the football program.”
Obviously, the college football world largely found this to be a pretty shady move from Harbaugh as this is not typically a clause someone would include in their contract if they truly felt like they were innocent.
"we're innocent…. but can you make me immune from when they find out how bad we cheated… in writing…" https://t.co/cr3t7ySs38
— Herb Kirkstreit (@THE_OSU) January 16, 2024
a very normal thing to ask for in your contract negotiations https://t.co/oDNyxV0Wup
— sarge (@sarge__msu) January 16, 2024
Guilty conscience needs no accuser. https://t.co/Jl7MUpy1MJ
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) January 16, 2024
Something an innocent person asks for https://t.co/zFSVVoteKY
— Mark (@MDSmalls23) January 16, 2024
I too demand immunity from punishment for things I didn’t do. https://t.co/bH2VmXDOoF
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) January 16, 2024
Ummmm that’s not suspicious at all https://t.co/VpKArIWXiN
— heather (@hnb6458) January 16, 2024
A thing one seeks when they are innocent of course. https://t.co/caBsNU4Naz
— Teth-Adam (@DCRezz) January 16, 2024
It’s certainly an interesting thing to want in his contract. We’ll have to see if he gets it.
