Michigan to announce Harbaugh hire

ByABC News
December 29, 2014, 9:56 AM

— -- Michigan has told its biggest boosters that a deal for Jim Harbaugh to become its next coach is done and that a news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, a source close to Michigan told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Harbaugh, wearing a Michigan cap, landed at an airport in Detroit shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and left in a convoy of six cars that included interim athletic director Jim Hackett.

Harbaugh was expected to sign the richest contract in college football history, a source told Schefter. The school confirmed a noon ET news conference for a "major announcement" from Hackett on Tuesday.

"I think we'll have some comments tomorrow," Harbaugh told The Michigan Daily, the student newspaper in Ann Arbor.

The Detroit Free Press, citing sources at the school familiar with the talks, reported Monday that Harbaugh already signed his deal, which was regarded as a formality, once he landed in Michigan.

Although the agreement is set to be officially announced Tuesday, NFL teams such as the Bears, Jets and Raiders continued making overtures to see whether they could change Harbaugh's mind, NFL sources told Schefter.

Hackett and other officials from the school met with Harbaugh in California on Sunday night after he officially parted ways with the San Francisco 49ers. The agreement ended a nearly monthlong coaching search in which virtually any conclusion other than landing Harbaugh would have been deemed a disappointment in Ann Arbor.

Details about Harbaugh's contract weren't immediately available, but reports earlier this month suggested Michigan offered a six-year contract worth at least $48 million.

Harbaugh came close to taking the Michigan job in 2011 but decided to jump to the NFL, and the Wolverines hired Brady Hoke. Hoke's record went steadily downhill during his four seasons at Michigan. He was fired after a Nov. 29 loss to Ohio State that guaranteed the program would not play in a bowl game.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a Michigan alum, took to Facebook to support the program's hire.

"'Those who stay will be champions.' ?#?GoBlue? Michigan Football," his post read.

Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson supported going after Harbaugh, as well.

"I think it's a good move," the Jacksonville Jaguars running back said. "I'm sad how Coach Hoke left, but obviously Coach Harbaugh is a great coach and he was a great player at Michigan. He's basically Michigan royalty right now. He's the man right now. I think he's going to do a great job and help out recruiting. He's had success at every school he went to, every team he coached at. I think it's a great fit for Michigan."

Harbaugh played quarterback at Michigan from 1983 to 1986 before a long NFL career. The Palo Alto, California, native, who spent part of his childhood in Ann Arbor, had remained on the West Coast since becoming a full-time coach. He worked with the Raiders as a quarterbacks coach in 2002 and 2003 before taking head-coaching jobs at the University of San Diego, Stanford and then the 49ers.

Harbaugh's leadership showed up during his playing days in Ann Arbor. He is well remembered for delivering a victory he guaranteed over Ohio State in 1986, the same season he was Big Ten player of the year and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting.

ESPN.com's Dan Murphy and Michael DiRocco and The Associated Press contributed to this report.