If there was any doubt as to Jim Harbaugh’s desire to stay at Michigan, he did his best to squash that this week.
Harbaugh made his weekly appearance on the WXYT-FM morning show “Stoney and Jasen” Tuesday in Detroit, and was asked point blank: “If push comes to shove, do you want to coach this football team next year?”
“Yeah,” Harbaugh replied. “I do, yes.”
The comments come after Harbaugh told reporters Monday that questions about his future at Michigan have come up with potential recruits. The NCAA’s early signing period for high school seniors begins Wednesday, with the class Michigan has put together ranked ninth nationally according to recruiting service 247Sports.
“And I tell them, ‘My plan is I’m committed to Michigan,’” Harbaugh said. “I have been, am and will remain.”
Both Harbaugh and Michigan’s athletic director, Warde Manuel, have said they plan to discuss a contract extension after the Wolverines’ season concludes. The team’s final regular-season game is set for Saturday at No. 16 Iowa (7 p.m., ESPN).
“Warde and I will sit down and talk at the end of the season on the current contract,” Harbaugh said Monday. “That’s the truth. That’s where it stands.”
More: Ahead of Michigan’s season finale, Jim Harbaugh isn’t talking QB
Harbaugh is close to wrapping up the sixth season of his original seven-year contract, one that is set to compensate him about $8 million in 2021. He is one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the country, despite Michigan being in the midst of a 2-4 season and without a Big Ten championship during his tenure.
“I did say I really liked this team,” Harbaugh told “The Ticket.” “I mean, I love this team. Most impressed with how they handled themselves; with how they’ve handled a lot of the adversity.”
Still, things have gone awry on the field. A series of opt outs and early-season injuries left Michigan depleted at various positions, while unsatisfactory play at quarterback has plagued the offense.
A season-opening win at Minnesota was followed by three straight losses, including a lopsided home loss to Wisconsin and loss to Michigan State and first-year coach Mel Tucker. The latest blow came nearly three weeks ago, when it dropped a game to previously winless Penn State.
“We’re still in it. We’re still in the season,” Harbaugh continued. “There’s a lot of people in general — even in the football world — once the new year starts, or the next year starts, they get very passionate about what their resolutions are going to be. They’re going to get on fire, do more, work harder. But we’re still in that. Let’s get on fire, let’s get passionate and let’s do that today, tomorrow, the next day, while we’re still in the season. That can start today.”
More: U-M football back practicing, with plans to play Iowa
If Saturday’s game is played, it would likely mark the final game of what has been a delayed, interrupted and abbreviated season for Michigan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. An outbreak on the team prompted the Wolverines to cancel games against Maryland and Ohio State, the latter forcing the Big Ten to relax its rule requiring teams to play six games to qualify for the league 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 fanbase.
Asked about that on WXYT radio this week, Harbaugh said: “I do talk to the fanbase. They’ve been so supportive. They love Michigan. We’re on the same team.”
Harbaugh continued: “I think they’d really love our players if they knew them all. They’re inspiring. I’m inspired by them. We’re going to keep pushing. And that continues today. That continues tomorrow and the next day, and all the way to Saturday — and beyond.”
Read more on Michigan football:
Wolverines in the NFL: Rashan Gary heating up; Brandon Graham makes Eagles history
ESPN recruiting director intrigued by 5-star QB recruit J.J. McCarthy
‘Negative recruiting’ won’t stop until Michigan decides on Harbaugh’s future, ESPN analyst says
Why is Michigan playing Iowa in Big Ten football’s final week?
Potential fireworks during early signing period? Plus 3 other storylines we’re watching this week
