Harbaugh and Panthers Owner Talk (Not Interview)

Submitted by winterblue75 on January 3rd, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Perkis-Size Me

January 3rd, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^

If his interest is legitimate, then so be it. He's put Michigan in a good spot, but if he gets to the end of this road and does not get an offer like he did last year, then I almost think it would be time for him to step down.

Yes I realize that may be a bit asinine at face value, but recruiting will continue to suffer because it'll be clear he wants out and has a foot out the door. What recruit with a choice is going to commit to that? What is that going to do with the current players or staff who are committed to this guy when they can see he doesn't want to be around anymore? If he doesn't want to be there, then why should they be there? 

Michigan can't build a sustainable, long-term product worthy of national title contention if its walking on eggshells every offseason wondering if its head coach is going to run out the door. Again, if he wants to go, that's okay. He's probably taken Michigan as far as he's able to. Two straight CFP appearances. Only Clemson, Oklahoma, Alabama, OSU and Georgia have done that. Those teams account for all of the CFP national titles save for LSU in 2019, so Michigan is in darn good company. 

I just hope he's fair to Michigan in all of this, because if his interest is legitimate, we can't keep doing this every year. He can't just hold the program hostage while he waits for something he deems to be better. If you don't get what you want this year, then fine, but after two years of this, step aside so the program you built can move on. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

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Midukman

January 3rd, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^

It’s not asinine at all. After last year and his so called “done” BS with the NFL I’m also done. Michigans being treated like a fallback in a relationship while one party has a wondering eye. I had a girl that did this shit and even though it was tough I sacked up and dumped her. Met my wife and have 3 beautiful kids and two granddaughters. At this point it’s time to dump him, unless this is all BS being cultivated by the media. Which Jim deserves a chance to straighten out, or at least owes Michigan a statement if not true. Yes the programs in fine shape, assuming that half the players don’t bolt which means a rebuild for a new coach. Just a friggin mess any way you look at it. 

Joined: 09/13/2018

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dcloren2121

January 3rd, 2023 at 4:20 PM ^

I agree 100% except for giving him the deference again this year (assuming I read that right). He either shits or gets off the pot. Commit now, publicly with a big buyout or whatever, or leave. I would love if he stayed, he'd have a statue here someday. But we can't keep being held hostage every single offseason by this and after the last year saying this and that about no more NFL and I'll be here in 23, etc. there's no patience for it now.

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Blue2000

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^

Dear Coach Harbaugh,

What you've done for the football program, especially in the last two years, has been absolutely incredible, and we cannot thank you enough.  It's currently in a far better position than when you inherited it.  But if you're still itching to coach in the NFL again, please resign from your current position and hand over the keys to someone 100% committed to being here.  It's imperative for purposes of maintaining the health of the program, and you certainly won't want for NFL suitors.  

Thanks again.  The last two years have been a blast.  Go Blue.

Joined: 01/06/2009

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gobluem

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^

I mean that's pretty common for high profile jobs

 

"would you be interested in this job, what strings would be attached"   etc

 

Hell I just posted a job the other day and called a person to tell them to apply for it because they'd applied for a part-time job a couple years ago and I knew they were qualified. That was a conversation about an open job that wasn't an interview

Joined: 09/15/2017

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mGrowOld

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^

Absolutely correct.  In my 40 plus years of management I've had a lot of "conversations, not interviews" with companies I wasnt working for at the time.  They went something like this:

Company: "So Don, let's say we were interested in interviewing someone like you for the open job.  Is that something you think someone like you might want to pursue?"

Me: "Perhaps.  To get someone to leave where they are very happy and well compensated would probably take way more money and organizational authority than most companies would be willing to give."

Company: "Hypothetically speaking, could you give us a rough idea of what a company would need to offer to gain someone of your talents and background?"

A non-interview, interview.  Both sides can say they were just "having a conversation" but everyone knows what just happened.  My guess is Jim's conversation went very close to what I just described.

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tybert

January 3rd, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^

I retired from a Fortune 100 company just over a year ago. During a competitive time, when talent was being poached away with better offers or a promotion vs. current position along with more pay, I remember my leadership saying that we were under no obligation to tell them if we had been approached by another employer, but that they wanted to know just to be competitive themselves. This led to some more flexible work schedules being offered, some better reward systems, and even some people getting a "promotion in place" (that is, getting promoted for doing the same job and getting a 5-7% bump in pay). 

Overall, for most people, if you wanted more money and were getting offers 10-15% higher (usually because you were being hired into a position at the other company that was a level above yours at the current company) - then people who wanted the money or a different work place culture just left. Those who remained did get a better state, with better perks, etc. - but not enough to turn down a better position at another company, if you wanted the money and status.

I suspect JH is in the same boat here. He can probably get more cash, perhaps a better NIL, etc. But nowhere near as good as the NFL would offer him. The Colts are the key team here. They aren't hamstrung with Russell Wilson and no 1/2 draft picks for 2 years. Carolina may be better to stick with the guy who's made them competitive (wins vs. Lions and at Seattle). 

JH has earned the right to shop around - so I hope he goes if this will be another event next year and so on. Would love to have him stay but can't keep trying to please him forever.

 

Joined: 11/17/2008

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BoFlex

January 3rd, 2023 at 7:43 PM ^

you certainly won't want for NFL suitors

Wasn't that the issue last year? Harbaugh ended up essentially begging around the league for a job and the only nibble he got was the Vikings, who ultimately decided to choose a young up-n-comer in Kevin O'Connell instead.

Joined: 05/30/2011

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TeslaRedVictorBlue

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^

i think harbaugh doesnt want last year's fiasco. he wants a new one. He's going to chat and think and then make them beg him to come and coach. The broncos, panthers, colts, are desperate. there are 6-7 teams desperate each year. Last year, he looked like the guy left at the altar. He's not doing that again. That's why he's "talking" to people. You want me or you don't. Someone will be desperate and promise him the moon. As a broncos fan, i can tell you ... Denver is the most desperate of the desperates, and they have plenty of cash.

You can bet that if snyder was forced to sell and a new ownership group came in, the commanders would be ALL OVER jimmy. 

All that said, the timing of all of it sucks for Michigan, as always --- and we're likely to end up with another hodge podge thing for next year so we can see if we can win with a pretty talented team. Sadly, that leaves recruiting in the dogpile for 10+ months and guys like clink etc... starting to look for a BBD somewhere else. It erodes quickly.

This + Cade/All drama + the long time gap etc... really were a distraction to the team. I know we say its "since" the loss on Saturday, but I refuse to believe that no feelers were put out by teams until then. Nobody wants to be the one holding the bag.. they reached out and if he was receptive, they started talking.

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Booted Blue in PA

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^

Hey Jim, since you're in serious negotiations with Denver, I figured I'd give you a call to talk about our head coaching vacancy.

Jim: Denver?  who told you I'm talking to Denver?  

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TheCube

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^

That Will Kunkel guy also said Panthers’ coaching search might go into February. 
 

30 days of this shit!?!? 
 

Jadyn Davis, we hardly knew ya 

 

:( 

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Bluetotheday

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^

Man- I’m bummed. Bummed the season is over and possibly losing my favorite coach. Like your favorite sitcom coming to end. 
 

If this happens, I have to believe harbaugh will leave this program in great hands !

Go Blue

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DHughes5218

January 3rd, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^

I’m sure there will be a talented QB in the portal or one that’s willing to jump into it if he knows he can start at Michigan immediately. I think Alabama just signed two QB’s who are both rated in the top 100 overall. They both can’t start so one will bail. They may be committed and not signed, but it still remains true for schools like Alabama who sign an elite QB recruit every year. Worst case we get a veteran who wants to compete for a playoff spot, like Sam Hartman. With the portal you can have recruiting misses and it doesn’t necessarily hurt the program because you can land a transfer who can contribute immediately. The lifeblood of a program is still recruiting, but the portal is going to be a cure-all for holes in the roster.

Joined: 10/04/2014

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UM_Ftown

January 3rd, 2023 at 2:09 PM ^

Don’t care how much the Michigan media protects him, he definitely wants to go to the NFL regardless of what they say. Harbaugh could come out and make a statement about all the recent talk but he won’t because he wants to go to the NFL and doesn’t want to say anything until after he talks with more NFL teams. 

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