Jim Harbaugh rumors: Michigan back in the mix

Welcome back to the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes, University of Michigan. After it appeared Harbaugh would not head back to college, ESPN's Adam Schefter is now reporting Harbaugh is "considering" an offer from his alma mater. Multiple sources, to include NFL.com and ESPN, are reporting Michigan has offered Harbaugh a six-year, $48 million to come back to the maize and blue.

Harbaugh has one year remaining on his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but is not expected to return next year. The 49ers seem to be hoping a team will offer them a trade for the coach who they signed to a five-year, $25 million contract in 2011. The two sides appear headed for a divorce.

The Oakland Raiders are considered the favorites among the NFL franchises who are, or may be, searching for a head coach next year. Harbaugh's family is believed to prefer him stay in California, and Harbaugh is said to like Oakland rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

Interest in Harbaugh has also been linked to the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. In 2011, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Harbaugh. If the coach is available when the season ends, and Ross has decided he is ready to move on from the Joe Philbin era, Miami is expected to make a hard push to convince Harbaugh to move to South Florida. Like Harbaugh, Ross is also a Michigan alumnus.

The $8 million a season contract with Michigan would make Harbaugh the highest paid coach in college football. Currently, Alabama's Nick Saban holds the top mark at just under $7.2 million per season.