National Football League
Sources: With Michigan willing to pay big, Jim Harbaugh mulling move
National Football League

Sources: With Michigan willing to pay big, Jim Harbaugh mulling move

Published Dec. 17, 2014 6:13 p.m. ET

After initially giving the impression he wouldn't give the Michigan job serious consideration, Jim Harbaugh has indicated he will consider returning to his alma mater as head coach, sources have told FOX Sports.

One source said Harbaugh hasn't yet interviewed with the school but there's been communication and it was made clear the school would be willing to pay him in the range of what top NFL head coaches make -- roughly $7 million to $8 million per season.

Interim athletic director Jim Hackett played for the Wolverines in the '70s while Harbaugh's father Jack was an assistant coach.

Harbaugh, who is entering what's expected to be the final two-game stretch of his stint as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, also is expected to be courted heavily by the Oakland Raiders, which would be an intriguing option for him because of his affinity for the organization and late owner Al Davis. Sources have said Harbaugh's wife would also like to remain in the Bay Area, if possible.

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Speculation about Harbaugh's future with the 49ers has run rampant since a 19-3 home loss on Thanksgiving to the archrival Seattle Seahawks. After the game, CEO Jed York tweeted an apology to the fans, something that was interpreted by many as a shot at Harbaugh. General manager Trent Baalke's daughter also tweeted that offensive coordinator Greg Roman should be fired. It was later deleted.

Since then, the 49ers have lost two more games -- a bad loss to the lowly Raiders and a second loss to Seattle -- to drop to 7-7 and fall out of contention for a playoff bid. They previously went to three straight NFC title games and one Super Bowl with Harbaugh at the helm.

FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported in Week 1 that there was no chance, even with a Super Bowl run, that Harbaugh would be back with the 49ers in 2015, and that looks to be coming to fruition.

Harbaugh has one year left on his five-year, $25 million deal with the 49ers.

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