Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel met with football coach Jim Harbaugh after the season last December and the goal was to work toward a contract extension. Manuel did not develop a just-in-case plan.
During their conversations, they agreed the biggest, and, perhaps most obvious goal, is to win games and championships.
Harbaugh, whose original seven-year contract was to expire after the 2021 season, in January signed an extension that will take him through the 2025 season but at a substantially lower salary and buyout but with considerable incentives. Manuel, who also signed a contract extension last month, characterized the discussions as open and focused on Harbaugh and his goals.