The ongoing sign-stealing investigation into head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football has been one of the biggest topics across college football as of late and that much has not changed heading into the final games of the season.
Even with the ongoing investigation, there are no current signs that Harbaugh is planning to step away from coaching any time in the near future. There is some speculation that he could leave the college football world sooner rather than later depending upon how things go, and some believe the NFL has been considered something of a "safe harbor" for him.
Based on reports from NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, though, that does not seem to be the case and may force him to serve a suspension if one is implemented by the Big Ten or the NCAA.
MORE: Latest news, updates on Michigan's sign-stealing scandal
In the middle of something that has made headlines the way this has, it's not shocking that Harbaugh has fielded questions from reporters regarding his future in football.
In a press conference this week, the Michigan coach was asked about just that. More specifically, when he will know when it's time to step away from coaching all together.
The answer he gave was nothing short of what we would expect out of Harbaugh.
"It might have been five or six years ago, we were at my brother John's place down at Bald Head Island, and we were sitting there talking to each other," Harbaugh told reporters. We're like, 'how long do you coach, what do you want to accomplish?'"
Harbaugh explained the conversation as a long and ongoing one in which they asked the same question to their father that Harbaugh himself has been faced with by the media.
"He said, 'I'll tell you boys, here's what you do. You coach as long as you possibly can. You coach until you get to the point where you don't feel like you can coach another day. You can't make another script, you can't go out to the practice field...and that's when you'll know. When you get to that point, coach for two more years.'"
Here's a look at everything to know and the latest developments.
Jim Harbaugh contract details
Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Wolverines since 2015. He has led the team to new heights with a chance to be a consistent playoff contender year in and year out, producing a long list of standout talent that includes potential Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Harbaugh agreed to a five-year, $36.7 million deal in 2022, but the coach and the school already had opened talks about an updated extension before the current scandal.
ESPN has reported those talks were put "on hold" once the NCAA announced it was investigating the Wolverines' program.
How things shake out with the investigation will have a direct impact on whether Harbaugh remains with the Wolverines for the long-term.
MORE: What to know about Connor Stalions, man at center of Michigan scandal
Jim Harbaugh salary
Harbaugh's annual base salary started at $7.05 million in 2022 and increases steadily to $7.63 million in 2026. It's over a $3 million jump from his 2021 base salary on his previous deal.
It will be interesting to watch how things shake out and if Harbaugh is allowed to fulfill the remainder of his contract, though suggestions have been thrown out. Those include firing Harbaugh, the Big Ten imposing a bowl ban on the team, a self-imposed bowl ban, and several other scenarios that include either punishing Harbaugh alone or punishing Harbaugh and the entire Michigan team.
According to Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, the NCAA is considering a multi-game suspension for sign stealing. With nothing confirmed just yet, it will be interesting to watch how this plays out.
Pete Thamel also reported that no one should expect any developments "for the next 48 hours" as of Monday morning.
Don’t expect any action by the Big Ten in the Michigan sign stealing case for at least the next 48 hours, as the league’s sportsmanship rules allow for a “reasonable” chance to respond to an institution or individual. Sources have told ESPN that they’ll be a legal battle if…
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 6, 2023
Nicole Auerbach and Austin Meek of The Athletic reported Monday afternoon that received a formal notification letter of potential disciplinary action from the Big Ten over the weekend. The suspension of coach Jim Harbaugh is within the possibilities.
MORE: Why Jim Harbaugh missed the first three games of the 2023 season
Jim Harbaugh bonuses
Back in 2022, Michigan's 43-22 victory over Purdue in Indianapolis gave Harbaugh $1.5 million in bonuses. That was composed of $1 million for the Big Ten title and $500,000 for surpassing the No. 2-ranked Wolverines into the College Football Playoff semifinals
Harbaugh's contract stated that he will not be able to add to his bonuses for that season except for in the case that the Wolverines took home a national title, which would have tacked on $500,000 for him.
Harbaugh has a maximum bonus of $3,275,000, and has made $2,200,000 in bonuses so far.
MORE: Breaking down Big Ten East tiebreaker if Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan tie
Highest-paid college football coaches in 2023
Harbaugh is currently the 12th-highest-paid football coach in the NCAA with a salary of $8,254,600, a maximum bonus of $3,275,000, $2,200,000 in bonuses paid and a $27,236,892 buyout.
Here's a look at where the highest-paid coaches in college football stand in 2023.
| Name | School | 2023 Salary |
| Nick Saban | Alabama | $11,107,000 |
| Dabo Swinney | Clemson | $10,758,575 |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | $10,505,600 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | $10,196,250 |
| Mel Tucker* | Michigan State | $10,015,350 |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | $9,975,000 |
| Jimbo Fisher | Texas A&M | $9,150,000 |
| Mark Stoops | Kentucky | $9,013,600 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | $9,000,000 |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $9,000,000 |
*Mel Tucker has been fired from Michigan State in the midst of an ongoing sexual harassment case
