Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh didn't want to give much time to a rumor about his coaching contract on Saturday afternoon after a 31-20 loss to Ohio State.
Harbaugh was asked about a rumor that was started by Fox Sports analyst and former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn on a radio show earlier this week. Quinn claimed he was told by someone who "is kind of an insider" at Michigan that the school was working on a "lifetime contract" for Harbaugh.
After Saturday's game, Harbaugh was asked the following question by a reporter: "A lot of talk about a lifetime contract coming, could that (have been) a distraction for your team?"
Harbaugh's answer: "No," he said before a pause. "Fake news. That was irrelevant."
Harbaugh is in the third year of a seven-year deal he signed with U-M after agreeing to take the job in late 2014.
The original deal had Harbaugh scheduled to make $5 million per year during his first three seasons, with an original signing bonus of $2 million. Harbaugh also had an additional $2 million per year added to his overall compensation package in the form of a life insurance policy. That addition was made in 2016.
Per the original deal, Harbaugh's base salary is set to increase by 10 percent ($500,000) after the close of this season. His current contract runs through the 2021 season.
Harbaugh is 28-10 through three seasons in Ann Arbor, with an upcoming bowl game to go this season. Against rival Michigan State, he's 1-2. Against rival Ohio State, he's 0-3. Against the rest of the Big Ten, Harbaugh is 17-3.
Michigan concluded its 2017 regular season at 8-4, 5-4 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines will find out their bowl destination next weekend.
