Mike Hart signs 2-year deal with Michigan football, will earn more than he did at Indiana

Mike Hart agreed to a two-year deal with Michigan football, according to records obtained by the Free Press.

Hart, the program's all-time leading rusher who was recently hired as the Wolverines' running backs coach, signed a memorandum of understanding with U-M on Jan. 12, according to records obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request.

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The agreement lists Hart as an assistant football coach. He will make $415,000 in Year 1 of the deal and $430,000 in Year 2. He also received a $115,000 signing bonus and is eligible for "team performance payments."

If Hart leaves for another job, he owes a buyout figure equal to 25% of that year's salary. If that job is within the Big Ten, the buyout figure jumps to 50%. Hart does not owe any buyout if he accepts a head coaching or coordinator job with a FBS or FCS program, or if he accepts a job with a NFL team.

Meanwhile, if Michigan chooses to fire Hart without cause, it will owe him his base salary and any unpaid team performance payments, paid in monthly installments. However, if Hart obtains another job, U-M's buyout payments will be offset by Hart's new compensation.

According to the USA Today college football assistant coaches salaries database, Hart's base salary at Indiana was $375,001, although it was reduced by $14,423 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan RBs coach Mike Hart: 2-year deal, more money than at Indiana