New reports indicate that the University of Michigan is prepared to offer Jim Harbaugh a contract that would put him in the line with the richest coaches in football. Not the Big Ten, Not the FCS.

All of football.

Jim Harbaugh To Michigan Rumors Are Gaining Traction

A story out of NFL.com today announced that the Wolverines have extended Harbaugh a 6-year, $48 million dollar deal to try and lure him away from the west coast and back to Ann Arbor.

"Jim Harbaugh has not yet told Michigan a definitive no," Rapoport said on NFL Network during Wednesday afternoon.

That $8 million dollar per year figure would put him tied with the New Orleans' Saints Sean Payton and the Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll for the highest paid coach in the sport. No NCAA football coach makes more than $7.1 million.

Michigan Man Won't Influence School's Coaching Search

All in all it is a stunning potential payday, made even more surprising by the fact that Michigan is not a school that frequently shells out for its coaches (ex-coach Brady Hoke was making south of $3 million per year on his deal).

The 49ers are 7-7 and eliminated from playoff contention in the NFC. Should he leave San Francisco, the consensus in media circles is that Harbaugh prefers to land another NFL gig. $48 million, however, would be quite the homecoming.