Jim Harbaugh reportedly signs deal to become football coach at Michigan

Former San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has signed a deal to become the new coach at Michigan, a person with knowledge of the discussions told the Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no formal announcement from the school or Harbaugh, who played at Michigan. But not long after Harbaugh arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Monday night, Michigan scheduled a Tuesday news conference for a “major” football announcement.

“I think we’ll have some comments tomorrow,” Harbaugh told the Michigan Daily, the student newspaper in Ann Arbor.

The 51-year-old Harbaugh coached the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games and San Francisco lost the 2013 Super Bowl to a Baltimore Ravens team coached by his brother, John Harbaugh. After the 49ers slipped to 8-8 this season and missed the playoffs, he parted ways with the team Sunday in what both sides called a mutual decision.

A day later, his name was the buzz of the Big Ten.

The idea of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry spiced up with Harbaugh vs. Urban Meyer hearkens to the league’s glory days, when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes ruled the conference.

“He’s basically Michigan royalty right now,” said former Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson, now a Jacksonville Jaguars running back. “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. I think it’s a great fit for Michigan.”

Harbaugh went 58-27 overall as a college coach at San Diego and Stanford, including a 29-21 record in four seasons with the Cardinal. He took over a 1-11 team when he was hired in December 2006 and quickly turned the program back into a winner and bowl contender.

He will take over for Brady Hoke, who was fired after four seasons as coach of the Wolverines with a 31-20 record, including 5-7 this season.

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No. 19 Auburn’s leading receiver, D’haquille Williams, is suspended for the Outback Bowl. Tigers Coach Gus Malzahn said that Williams will be held out of Thursday’s game against No. 17 Wisconsin “for breaking team rules.”

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Indiana running back Tevin Coleman is leaving school early to enter the NFL draft. As a junior, Coleman rushed for 2,062 yards, a school record, and 15 touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 141 yards.

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Miami left tackle Ereck Flowers is skipping his final season of eligibility and will enter the draft.

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A group of 51 Nebraska fans paid the bill for Bo Pelini’s unauthorized use of a high school auditorium to meet with his players after his firing. Lincoln Public Schools associate superintendent Liz Standish said her office received a $262.50 money order from Brooklyn, N.Y., last week.

Cornhuskers fan Sarah Krusemark organized the online campaign that raised $810 through donations of $5 to $50. Krusemark plans to send the extra money to the Team Jack Foundation for pediatric brain cancer research.

An unidentified North Star High staff member initially received the bill after failing to follow protocol in allowing Pelini to use the auditorium. An audiotape from the meeting revealed Pelini’s expletive-filled criticism of Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst. Pelini is now the coach at Youngstown State.

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All-Big 12 defensive end Shawn Oakman said he plans to return for his senior season at Baylor.