Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to receive a contract extension through 2026, per a report by Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports. The contract negotiations would ensure that Harbaugh remains with the university rather than return to the NFL as had been previously rumored.

Originally signing to a mammoth six-year, $48 million contract in 2015, Jim Harbaugh returned to his alma mater with the hopes of replicating the success the team had under former head coach Bo Schembechler.

While Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to double-digit win totals in three of his five seasons in Ann Arbor, the team is a mere 1-4 in bowl games under the coach. Not only has Harbaugh been unable to return the program to prominence, but he has also failed to beat Ohio State over the past five years despite the Buckeyes having had two different head coaches during that time.

With the Wolverines already operating below par entering the 2020 campaign, the program's woes increased with the team falling to 2-4 in a shortened, six-game season. Far from qualifying for a bowl game, the lackluster effort had increased the noise that Harbaugh would retreat from the amateur game to return to the NFL, where he had previously experienced success as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

The report that Harbaugh will receive a lucrative contract extension with Michigan is certain to both raise eyebrows and increase the restlessness of a fan base hungry for postseason success. Already of the most heavily scrutinized programs in the country, Michigan supporters are certain to voice their demands that the Wolverines put together winning seasons from now on in light of the news.

While he may have opted to remain in Ann Arbor this time, unless Harbaugh institutes some changes, it's likely that he won't have a choice in the matter next time.