Michigan Wolverines news: Jim Harbaugh negotiations at an 'impasse', plus more

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. The Michigan Wolverines are still in the mix to retain their head coach, but according to a well-known insider, John U. Bacon, there is an "impasse" between the school and Harbaugh.

"The Harbaugh-Michigan negotiations are at an impasse, at least for now. It isn't money - plenty there - but the clauses: what should be covered by immunity (e.g. cheeseburgers, etc.), and what not?
Therein lies the rub. Stay tuned."

At this point, Jim Harbaugh should get a lifetime contract which should be fully guaranteed, regardless of what the NCAA says. It's baffling that the Michigan would take this tactic, considering that Harbaugh is the most valuable employee in the entire University system and it's not close. The Michigan Wolverines could pay Jim Harbaugh $25 million a year and it would still be a bargain.

Harbaugh and the success he has brought Michigan football has made the university so much money, it's probably hard to measure. It's baffling that the school would balk at any sort of guaranteed language after a national championship and everything Jim has meant to the school.

I've long said that Warde Manuel needs to go. He's hindered NIL from the start and despite three straight playoff appearances and the national title, Michigan football still can't recruit. Heck, a top-100 commitment Chris Ewald decommitted on Monday night.

Yes, that probably has to do with Jim Harbaugh. But Michigan football hasn't given Jim everything he needs in this new era of college football and worrying at all about an organization like the NCAA is the weakest move of all time. You think Kansas hesitated to give Bill Self a lifetime contract? No. Because Warde Manuel isn't their athletic director.

We'll see what happens, but the common refrain of "nobody knows anything" certainly applies.

Michigan football departures are finalized

The NFL draft deadline has come and gone for early entrants. J.J. McCarthy announced his intention to enter the draft on Sunday. Trente Jones joined him on Monday, however, the Michigan Wolverines did retain a number of key players on both sides of the ball.

Michigan football has lost 10 of its 11 starters on offense to graduation or the NFL draft, but Donovan Edwards announced that he will be back, which is massive. The former five-star has had some legendary moments for the Michigan Wolverines, including his two-touchdown performance in the national championship game.

Edwards will share the backfield with Kalel Mullings and it will be fun to see what Edwards can do as the full-time starter for the first time. Joining Edwards in returning are starting safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige.

Moore and Paige are both going to get drafted. Moore is an absolute stud and if he wasn't injured for part of this season, my guess is that his draft stock would be higher and he wouldn't be returning. Josaiah Stewart is also back, giving the Wolverines an EDGE to pair with junior-to-be Derrick Moore.

The Wolverines lost some key pieces on defense, but with Moore, Stewart, Kennenth Grant, Mason Graham, Rayshaun Benny, Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, Will Johnson, Keon Sabb, Rod Moore, Makari Paige, and others, this Michigan football defense will be elite again.

There are certainly needs in the transfer portal. Michigan football also needs clarity at head coach -- sooner rather than later -- but even if Harbaugh leaves, the cupboard isn't bare. Far from it.

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