Harbaugh Poised to Stay at UM; Saleh Favorite for Lions Job

The Jim Harbaugh to the Detroit Lions sports betting prop may soon be dead.

In mid-December, Harbaugh was one of the favorites to land the head coaching gig for the Lions, tied with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh at +200 on the FanDuel Sportsbook. But the Detroit News and other media outlets are reporting that Harbaugh and the University of Michigan are close to nearing a five-year extension that would include a lower base salary laden with incentives.

According to The News, it appears Harbaugh will sign the deal to remain the school’s head football coach, but it has yet to be finalized. The deal could become official in the coming days.

If Michigan were to reach the incentives laid out in the contract, Harbaugh would get back most of the $8 million he was due to make this season with his previous contract. The incentives in the contract include winning the Big Ten East, a Big Ten title, reaching the college football playoffs and winning a national championship. The deal also has a smaller buyout if the school decides to fire him.

In six seasons, Harbaugh has a 49-22 record but has struggled against Michigan’s top opponents. The Wolverines are 0-5 against rival Ohio State under Harbaugh and just 3-3 versus Michigan State. Michigan has also never won as an underdog and is just 2-12 against teams ranked in the top 10.

Saleh Now Favorite for Lions Head Coaching Job

With Harbaugh out of the picture, it seems more likely Saleh could end up as the Lions’ next head coach. FanDuel has taken the prop off the board, but PointsBet’s latest odds may hint at the Lions hiring Saleh.

On Tuesday, Saleh was -200 on PointsBet to become the next head coach of the Lions. If Saleh doesn’t end up with Detroit, it may not be the fault of the organization, but instead, Saleh’s own personal choice.

Saleh is one of the hottest head-coaching candidates on the market and has already taken interviews with the Atlanta Falcons, in addition to Detroit, and is scheduled to speak with the New York Jets today. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers are also in line to speak with Saleh about their head coaching openings.

Taking the Detroit job would mean a return to home for the Dearborn native where a majority of his family still lives in Michigan. But other teams have their own alluring factors for Saleh. He spent three years of his pro career in Jacksonville, and the Chargers have one of the best young quarterbacks in rookie Justin Herbert and an All-Pro pass rusher with Joey Bosa.

PointsBet sees the Falcons as a strong possibility, with his odds to become the next head coach in Atlanta at +500, the second-highest. The Chargers and Jets are at +1000.