Michigan Football: Reacting to Josh Gattis contract extension

According to a new report, Michigan football extended the contract of Josh Gattis through the 2022 season. 

In a move that hasn’t been publicly announced by the Michigan football program, head coach Jim Harbaugh gave offensive coordinator Josh Gattis a one-year extension and a slight pay raise for the 2022 season according to a report from MLive’s Aaron McMann.

The newspaper obtained details of the contract in a Freedom of Information Act request and here is a look at what was found about Gattis and his new deal:

"“The move keeps him on staff for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, a year longer than his original three-year contract called for. Gattis’ $900,000 base salary remains in place for 2021, but the new contract includes a salary increase to $1 million in 2022. The agreement also includes previous bonus payments for finishing top-two in the Big Ten in scoring offense ($100,000) and top-10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring offense ($100,000), as well as each win Michigan obtains over 8 in a season ($50,000 per win, with a max of $200,000 allowed).”"

There are some incentives in the contract, just like Jim Harbaugh has in his deal. Even new passing-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale has incentives. If Michigan ranks in the top-21 in pass defense, he gets a raise and is promoted to co-DC in 2022.

Reactions to the deal for Josh Gattis

I have no problem with Harbaugh extending Gattis. Some Michigan football fans will freak out about it because let’s be honest, Gattis hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.

Michigan was 44th in scoring and 68th in total offense in 2019, as well as 66th in scoring and 78th in total offense last season.

Certainly, losing Nico Collins to opt-out didn’t help, but there were plenty of other issues and the play-calling seemed to be one of them.

Harbaugh has added Mike Hart and Matt Weiss to the staff to coach running backs and quarterbacks, plus Sherrone Moore is now the co-OC as well as offensive line coach.

The reality is that it would have been worse for Michigan to do well this year and then have Gattis leave or try to extend him then. It’s not like Michigan can’t walk away. There’s no huge buyout. If this season goes bad, Gattis and Harbaugh, for that matter, could be gone.

It seems like a way to fend off the instability question which has plagued the Wolverines in recruiting since last fall.

If Michigan was going to ax Gattis, last offseason was the time. Instead, Harbaugh has faith in him and hopefully, that faith will be rewarded.