Great Michigan Daily Summary of Harbaugh's Contract Extension

"Great"

Yeah no.

Seriously, it looks like Manuel wrote this himself.

Doesn't seem to be a lot of new information here.

One of the hitches seems to be Harbaugh's desire that if the NCAA comes down with further penalties related to the two matters under investigation, that the school not use these as a basis to terminate his contract.  Two thoughts on this:

1.  Harbaugh asserts that he is innocent and has been candid with both the School and the NCAA.  And the School indicates that they believe his version of the facts.  (e.g. he was candid with the NCAA and knew nothing of Stallion's activities.)  That being the case, why can't the School agree that should there be further disciplinary action from the NCAA concerning the matters disclosed that they will not use this as a basis for termination.  However, if new facts are revealed and it is determined that Harbaugh has been less than truthful, then this could be a basis for termination.

2.  Even if the School did terminate Harbaugh, is there any real doubt that he wouldn't land on his feet with the NFL in a matter of days?  He might be unemployed but I doubt that it would for long.  It's not like these NFL options are a once in a lifetime opportunity. In fact, they seem to happen every year about this time.   

Finally, when you hire talented people this is part of what you have to live with.  They are by nature, ambitious and because they are very good at what they do, they are also in demand.  That's the nature of the beast.  

It takes two willing parties to negotiate.  I’m not taking sides.  Warde’s put something on the table, Jim’s evaluating his options.

It’s been a great last three years.  What happens… happens..

Go Blue!

They're just wrong.  It's up to Harbaugh to sign it, yes, but there's no excuse for Warde to not have had the final contract drafted and ready to sign weeks ago.  There's nothing to negotiate, give him the arbitration panel and anything else he wants.  Also have an offer, ready to sign, for Moore in case Harbaugh says no. 

Warde is simply not good at his job.

I give Harbaugh more blame than Warde. If Michigan was his #1 choice he wouldn’t be interviewing with NFL teams. He would let the world know he’s staying at Michigan and figure out the details later. 

I love Harbaugh as much as the rest of you. Build a statue, name the stadium after him, whatever we can do to honor him, I’m all for it. But this holding the program hostage bullshit has to stop. How many recruits and transfers have we missed out on because of this? It’s so frustrating.

I don’t buy the statement in the article that most people wanted Harbaugh gone in 2020.  I think most people were disappointed, but realized what a weird year the Covid year was, and still had hope for Harbaugh.

I have no idea, it's interesting there's such a split in the fan base between "Warde's fault" "not Warde's fault" camps.

I'd prefer Michigan not retain Warde, as it seems like we can argue about what is or is not his fault, but we can't argue over his successes because there aren't any. OK, he didn't fire Harbaugh when there was moderate pressure to do so after the 2020 season, would have been a pretty rash move, but I guess it was possible. I'll give him that one.

People actually thought Warde was solely to blame? As if our AD would just casually let one of the top 5 coaches in the world go without a fight, risking his own job in the process? 

Thanks for posting. Lots of good points. 

I know a lot of people like to blame Warde, but Warde isn't the one drafting the contract.  UM's attorney's are drafting it.  Warde can tell the attorneys what to put in for pay, years of the contract, bonuses, etc.  When it comes to other aspects of the contract Warde can recommend changes, additions and removals of certain things but Watde isn't going to be able to override the attorneys.  

IIRC, he’s on record telling Warde his anual NFL dalliance wouldnt be an issue anymore. If he does come back I’d have to assume that simply becomes an annual thing? I can’t imagine that dream would just vanish.

I think it is a combination of Warde not doing a great job and Jim's desire to go back to the NFL.

Anyone thinking Warde is to blame is foolish.  It is clear that Harbaugh wants to go to the NFL... Real clear, because he does this every year after a successful season.  I can't blame Harbaugh either, because he gave us what we wanted.

If we wind back the tape to 2020, Manuel slashed Harbaugh’s contract after the worst season of Michigan football since John F. Kennedy was president.

I just realized that anyone writing for the Michigan Daily now was probably around five years old during the 2008 season.

He was suspended half the season this year and they didn’t fire him. He’s not getting a show cause from either incident so it’s not like the NCAA is gonna force the university to fire him and be out $120 MM so why does the university care about these clauses so much now? Plus they can financially absorb paying him for another half a season while he’s suspended not bringing in value, he’ll bring in more money than that would cost. 

Meh.

Get Harbaugh signed.  Do what it takes.  Don't blow it.  No excuses.

This should have been done more than half a year ago.

Something, something, Warde, he did and didn't do what he thought about what they said he did, or didn't do, under his own authority.  His authority sucks, and his non-authoritative approach is quite lazy!  He's done a wonderful job doing nothing.  Thanks Warde, for hiring Jim.  Although it was you who did the hiring it's not a great thing. It was your job to do a great job, in which you suck at.  GO BLUE!!!

Warde Manuel IS the problem!! he needs to GO!! This annual NFL drama from Harbaugh is getting tiresome..too..

BoFan makes a good point.  For me, the issue is the NCAA treats every coach as their "at will" employee.  Due process and equal protection (punishment) under the law are lacking.  

"should the NCAA reveal a fireable offense."  Hah, their opinion is the standard for creating a fireable offense.  They don't like Jim's attitude becomes not forthcoming and he lied.  The NCAA isn't satisfied with probation they want their constituents to kiss the ring of their opinion.

Harbaugh's gone.  Rip that band-aid off right now.  You will thank us later.

Might be for the best.  Harbaugh's wrecking UM grabbing players from the transfer portal.  Who wants to transfer to a school when you have no idea who the head coach will be?

In Sharrone we trust.

#GoBlue

Is it great though?  

I didn't know that Warde also writes for the Daily.

Coach Harbaugh will be staying at Michigan......  I'm maintaining my 55% confidence level at this time.

No. Not a good article. An attempt at an article that does not know or discuss the leaks to the press and Manuel’s relationship w Stapleton and Stapleton wanting harbaugh gone.  Sorry. I’m not an insider but I know enough people who are very close and these are real issues.