The Harbaughnger

January 16th, 2024 at 11:31 PM ^

I don't... :)

As eccentric as JH is, I can't see him doing an annual NFL interview tour because he's really on the fence every year. Who is that undecided for that long? Who can love a place like UM as much as JH does, and still do this? I feel like it just doesn't fit his character, and I think team 142, 143, and 144 would have sniffed that out a long time ago- no way they would get behind him and completely buy into his culture the way they have. Something else has to be up.

What if...he just wants to stay, and is only using these interviews to reiterate how valuable he is to Michigan, because WM needs to be woken up by demonstration of exactly what he's losing if he doesn't agree to JH's terms. "Look WM, I can go anywhere I want and make gobs of money- but I don't want to- I want to be here. Just see the light already and agree to the terms. Protect your coach, and your coach will continue to deliver."

At the end of the day, I'm not bothered by JH's approach one bit- he can and should do whatever he wants. I'm just surprised how many people seem like they'd trade UM's coach "problems" for anyone else's coach problems...especially right after the first NC in 26 years. How quickly we forget...

Joined: 08/27/2010

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Bluetotheday

January 16th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^

Very optimistic take but it’s clear, he prefers to coach in the NFL. Yes, it will suck to lose him but come on, we are national fucking champs. During Covid, everyone one of us would have made a deal to have won a nation championship, even if I meant Harbaugh returns to the NFL. 

he made this program something it hasn’t been a very long time…I respect and appreciate the hell out of him, and will be always rooting for him! 

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CityOfKlompton

January 17th, 2024 at 12:45 AM ^

I have no insider information, so this is just a theory, but I feel like Jim has both a desire to stay at Michigan and a desire to coach in the NFL again. Meanwhile, Jim also seems like the type that desires a lot of control and feels personally affronted if he thinks his principles are challenged (whether they are or not), which can easily cause some conflict. Thus, a more-than-palatable plan B of going back to the NFL ain't such a bad course of action, especially if you can dangle that in front of your AD for extra leverage.

Basically, I feel like we have been watching a power struggle slowly unfold in Ann Arbor for the past few years, and regardless of whose fault that is, it could ultimately cost the football program its only head coach to deliver a national championship in decades, which is honestly pretty wild.

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True Blue Grit

January 17th, 2024 at 6:37 AM ^

I'm well past Harbaugh is doing this just to get leverage with Michigan.  He's doing this because he just doesn't want to be here anymore.  Whether that's because he wants to win a Super Bowl, he hates Warde, or some other reason, it doesn't matter much.  Somehow he's convinced the players this annual job search is fine, but it's them I feel sorry for.  But Harbaugh has built up somewhat of a reputation as being a quirky, high maintenace coach which may really undermine his candidacy for NFL jobs.  These billionaires don't want a 12 or 15 million dollar per year headache.  We'll see I guess.  Right now, I'm expecting a new coach next year.

Joined: 01/21/2011

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Brodie

January 17th, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^

I mean at the end of the day, whether we want to accept it or not, kids who play big time college football are mostly in it for the eventual NFL payday. I'd love to believe that all our players are here because they love Michigan and they want to get their degrees here and all that jazz, but the truth is we recruit kids to come here and play their asses off to make it to Sundays. And kids who think that way are never going to fault a coach for wanting the same thing. 

Once again as a fanbase we are largely blind to the appeal of the NFL but for most football people it isn't even a question between what it is essentially a minor league and the greatest show on turf. 

Joined: 11/19/2008

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Glennsta

January 17th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^

I think you're correct that a significant chunk of players have the ultimate goal of making it to the NFL. 

But, even if they wouldn't blame their college coach for jumping to the NFL, the players would certainly need to reassess what effect that coach's leaving will have on them achieving their ultimate goal. Purely hypothetically, but if Harbaugh and Minter are gone, if I'm a marketable defensive recruit, I'd want to know a whole lot about who's going to replace them before the portal opens again after spring ball.

Joined: 01/28/2011

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CityOfKlompton

January 17th, 2024 at 1:10 PM ^

It doesn't seem to me that he is interviewing with NFL teams just to get leverage. However, if he would prefer to stay at Michigan but isn't getting everything he wants, looking at NFL openings gives him an exit plan should Michigan not work out with the added benefit of providing leverage in negotiations with the university.

Basically, it's a win-win move for Harbaugh. If he gets what he's looking for at Michigan, he gets to stay on and cement his legacy at a place he loves. If he doesn't get what he wants at Michigan, he gets to go back the NFL and try to get himself the Super Bowl ring he desires. 

Joined: 10/14/2018

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maquih

January 17th, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^

it’s clear, he prefers to coach in the NFL

It's not so clear because he showed up to his Vikings interview drunk last year.  That's why he didn't get the job.

 

That, to me, says his head wants to go to the NFL but his heart didn't let him.  Maybe this year with the national championship that changes, but im hoping his heart still doesn't want to leave.

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JonathanE

January 17th, 2024 at 6:56 AM ^

What if...he just wants to stay, and is only using these interviews to reiterate how valuable he is to Michigan, because WM needs to be woken up by demonstration of exactly what he's losing if he doesn't agree to JH's terms. 

 

So, you think it was some attention-grabbing plan to interview with the Minnesota Vikings on National Signing Day part #1 last year? I can't think of another school who puts up with a coach's wandering eye as much as Michigan does with Harbaugh. Be honest, the only reason that Harbaugh hasn't left already is that no NFL team actually offered him a job. This off season, that will change. (Offering a job part.)

People can gloat about the National Championship, and it was one hell of a ride, but don't think that you simply flip a switch, and repeat. Team 144 was a strong, senior led team. A leadership which was so strong, that the public face of the team, JJ McCarthy wasn't even a team Captain. A lot of that leadership is walking out the door. 

One of the downfalls of the 2020 team was lack of experience. The 2019 team put 4/5ths of its offensive line into the NFL. Michigan was replacing Shea Patterson at QB with a brand-new starter. DPJ opted for the 2019 draft, Nico Collins sat out. Ambry Thomas sat out. There were other issues, such as no spring practice and such but Michigan had lost a lot of leadership from the 2019 team, and it showed in 2020. Any of that sound familiar? 

I've been a huge Harbaugh supporter, even when a lot of people were wanting to run him out. I've felt in those down years that Harbaugh assessed and made the changes which needed to be made so why change. I just wish for these last three years, going into the offseason that there would have been (be) a steadier presence in Schembechler Hall instead of this wait while I flirt with the NFL and if they don't pick me, I'll come back.   

 

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Glennsta

January 17th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^

You make a lot of good points. I'd only disagree that it he's very likely to get offers, especially if he is requiring the kind of control that he is reputed to want. We'll see, I guess.

What intrigues me is JH at these team interviews. We've seen him in pressers and in TV and radio interviews. He is often so quirky with his answers that I'd love to be a fly on the wall while a bunch of team execs are talking to him for an hour or two. Then again, he's gotten job after job before. It would be interesting anyhow.

Joined: 01/28/2011

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WestQuad

January 17th, 2024 at 8:44 AM ^

The annual flirtation really sucks.  It takes away from the celebration of the previous year and now the anticipation of getting quality players from the portal.  

According to Sam Webb Harbaugh wants to coach in the NFL if he has control.  I'm thinking that means the GM works for Harbaugh.  NFL teams are rightfully dubious on giving him that much control.  Without a strong GM Harbaugh is the owner's problem to deal with.   We all blame the SF owners in their Harbaugh break up, but look at poor Warde Manuel.  You gotta believe that he isn't a total idiot and he can't get the deal done with Harbaugh.   I'm beginning to think that either Warde is incompetent and needs to go, or that Harbaugh really is a maniac who is hard to deal with.  I love that Harbaugh is our maniac, but I'm getting sick of his antics and I'm just a fan. 

 

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Derek

January 16th, 2024 at 10:07 PM ^

Young team, promising defense, talented offense that needs a QB, hold a first-round pick that could be JJ.

Oh, and there's a clear path to the playoffs given the futility in the NFC South.

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alum96

January 16th, 2024 at 10:08 PM ^

Hello all:

Confession time.  Today I interviewed Jim Harbaugh. 

We had subs.  It was crazy.

Keith Jackson stopped by.

I won't go into details past that.

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91wolverine

January 16th, 2024 at 10:38 PM ^

No it would not be bad. Minter is superior to moore by far. Moore is an elite oline coach and a below average offensive coordinator. There isn’t one team (so far) who is lookin to hire moore away from us and yet he’s our “shoe in” head coach at the university of fckin Michigan. Minter has coordinated a top 3-5 defense the last two seasons. Idk maybe I’m wrong but Moore would be a status quo option that usually ends up in failure. Please do a coaching search before naming moore as coach, even just for the sake of keeping idiots like me happy. A real search needs to be “done” 

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91wolverine

January 16th, 2024 at 11:00 PM ^

Number 67 in total offense, 40th in 3rd down conversion, 81st in passing offense, 54th in rushing offense. Does that answer your question? I get we want continuity and to keep the team together but Moore didn’t wow anyone with his offense and shouldnt just shoot straight up to the top without a legit coaching search. This is Michigan fergodsakes. We should be hiring a big time proven coach or at least someone who was excellent at his coordinating job..

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91wolverine

January 16th, 2024 at 11:20 PM ^

We’ll just agree to disagree on this one. I’m just saying there are much better options than Moore for our program, imo. We’re comin off a national title and I think Michigan is a top 3 job. We shouldn’t be hiring “unknowns”. And yes he’s unknown. Being a substitute teacher for 3 games on gameday doesn’t vault you to “proven” category. 

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