Harbaugh Contract Thoughts
I know a ton of people have weighed in on the subject, but as we just went through another weekend without this deal being done, my concern has grown. Without any inside information my personal opinion is the longer this drags out, the more likely it doesn't get done.
With all the sign gate garbage that went on, and the solidarity the University finally showed, it seemed like the perfect time to get this deal down and say FU to everyone else has passed us. Does anyone else feel this way or should I just have a drink to relax?
December 11th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
I mean...its Monday morning so....why not start drinking.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
...
We were supposed to stop?
December 11th, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^
absolutely not, until Iowa scores...
December 12th, 2023 at 4:53 AM ^
That could be the 3rd game NEXT year …
December 11th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Exactly… just relax with whatever libation you’d like.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Eggnog with rum starts your morning right!
December 11th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
You can't drink all day if you don't start!
December 11th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
Right don't be a quitter. Attack each drink with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
It's 5 o'clock somewhere...
December 11th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
"Without any inside information"
This should have been your clue that this post wasn't necessary.
The program is currently dealing with (1) an NCAA investigation, (2) Harbaugh's apparent reluctance to commit to the program beyond this year, and (3) CFP preparation. This may not get resolved until the season's over, so strap in.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:33 AM ^
In other words........"I know this topic has beaten to death around here but my comments inside the other 20 or so threads on his contract (or lack thereof) might've been missed by everyone so I thought it was necessary to create a thread so here it is.
I have no news, no information to share, nothing other than my need to put my worries in a unique thread so everyone here can see I'm worried."
December 11th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Yeah and GET OFF MY LAWN!
December 11th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
In other words.. " you were so tired of contract talk, rather than ignoring the thread, you decided to open it up so you could neg away and provide no relative feedback".. got it.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
No, I think I was pretty clear on my feedback. Your thread is stupid and adds nothing to the conversation.
And given the current voting (-17 and dropping) it would appear others feel the exact same way I do about your post.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Right and others like Griese provided well thought out feedback, in which you subsequently responded to in another well thought out and informative response. This was the feedback I was hoping to get. Having been on this board for many years I understand the negativity that can come with posting a thread. But being a passionate lifelong fan I love this board and will not shy away from putting my thoughts out there just because it will get negged.. doesn't mean I will not criticize but that's what makes this board and our Alumni and fans great. We are all passionate.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
The Brian Griese comment did a nice job of summarizing all the points already mentioned on this board as recently as last week in reference to JUB’s tweets. Instead of making a post you could have done a search and found those threads and read it all yourself.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:07 PM ^
it's not negativity. People are just trying to have the board be a place where interesting and relevant information can be seen and not buried under hawt takes.
You'll get a lot of shit for posting, and you have a point that it's a Michigan sports discussion board, why not talk about Michigan sports. IT's not that your topic is uninteresting or not relevant. some people may even want to talk more about it.
Largely though what's asked of the community here for the greater good of the board is that you don't create "just my opinion" new threads. opinions are welcome and encouraged on relevant posts. But by asking folks to hold their hawt takes for a post to be created that as actual news o r new information, the board is asking you to think about how bad it could get if everyone took your approach. If you've seen a game thread on this board, you'll know just how HAWT the takes can get and those don't need to be their own threads.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
I wanted downvote this post just because. one the one hand, there don't appear to be any consequences for downvotes, so, it wouldn't matter that i gave your comment a "thumbs down".
on the other, i've been under the impression that downvotes are best used when someone is being indecent or dishonest, and are not intended to be used just because we disagree with a comment.
Let's not turn this place into elevenwarriors, where I was just negged into ban-land for basically asking if any of them were willing to consider viewing the 'signgate scandla' through a lens other than the one that suggests M's football program will get the guillotine. They soft.
We're not.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^
The problem was thinking that you would find people with reasonable alternate takes on Eleven Worriers.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
Take what he said as constructive criticism. Don’t start a thread with conjecture. If all you have to post are your feelings, put that into a thread that started with some (not none) substance.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
I love when OPs argue with MGrow about their bad OPs.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
Me too.
December 11th, 2023 at 1:38 PM ^
to each their own. i think to those of us who've spent a good bit of time in other less sanitized corners of the internet, the 'gate keeping' around here grows pretty tiresome. usually i just roll my eyes and move on, wondering why the 'gatekeepers' don't just do the same. but since we're on the topic, that's my $0.02.
this is still the best place I've found to read about and discuss M football, and I'm glad as hell we're not like the ElevenWarriors community. but that doesn't mean some people couldn't afford to loosen up a bit.
cheers, fans. ::lifts glass::
December 11th, 2023 at 2:23 PM ^
The reason for gatekeeping is to avoid filling the message board box with snowflake threads, driving content threads off the front page and out of easy visibility. For instance, this snowflake thread drove Steve Lorenz puts in Crystal Ball for Maryland LB Jaishawn Barham to transfer to Michigan off of the front page.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
i get it. but that's an issue easily fixed with the addition of what I'd consider to be a standard modern feature on message boards these days - a "my threads" feature. and even in the absence, it's what, two extra clicks to see threads that are off the 'front page', and/or to see the threads we've posted in? at some point one has to acknowledge the humorous similarities between the MGoGatekeepers and the Big House 'Down in front!' crowd.
this board also needs 'ignore user' and 'ignore thread' buttons, but, that's not news to anyone.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:22 PM ^
Tell me about it. Been on this board for like 12 years. Never really posted much so it took me probably 3 years or 4 years before I actually could post (100) just to have my points taken away one night because I was a little drunk by Seth. After that pretty much went screw this board, but yet it's the only readable material. Sometimes I feel like the effort level is very low here though. It's like a rush to post on here what they found on another website like ESPN.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
I ain't got no time for Chicken Littles doing drive by posts. Keep your fears to yourself if they've been hashed and re-hashed before, and no new relevant information has come up.
I'm so cranky I yelled at Santa to get off my roof.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
until he announces he's entering the portal, i'm going to expect him to be back next year to honor the contract he's still under, unless he signs an extension.... in which case i'll expect him to honor that one too.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Stokes likely knows something is up, hold 1 min so I can prepare a new thread with my concern
December 11th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
Im concerned about you being concerned about the OP's corcerned about the Harbaugh contract
December 11th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
The team is focused on preparation for Alabama and my guess is that Jim Harbaugh cares more about winning that game than a contract. At this point, we all have to be patient and wait.
The best case scenario is we win the national championship and Harbaugh has ambitions of being the greatest Michigan coach all-time.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:04 PM ^
Michigan hopes to be able to announce a signed extension before early signing day. Still a few weeks before we get there. I know no one wants to hear this but you’ll either get a confirmation from a legit source over the next two weeks publicly or else it’ll be after the college football playoffs. I mentioned in another thread that Jim did not want to have anything announced leading up to the Big Ten championship game, as he wanted the focus on the team. I feel he’ll take that same mindset leading up to the playoff.
There’s a solid chance he signs an extension and they announce if before signing day, as Michigan wants to make that happen. But there’s also a chance that doesn’t happen because Harbaugh is sick of discussing extensions and will he or won’t he basically. This is the only year, out of all of them, that I feel Jim might actually leave. If you check my posting history you’ll see I’ve been adamant for years he wasn’t going anywhere. But some of the suspension stuff changed things. Jim and Warde do not get along, I don’t care what anyone else says. I honestly believe there is a chance this time that Harbaugh could go. I’m not an insider, though half of the supposed insiders know next to nothing. But I know there’s a different feeling this year. Michigan did offer Harbaugh the contract he wants basically and if he signs he’ll be here for at least 4-5 more years. But we’ll see. Him signing before early signing day for recruits would be a big win.
TL:DR - Contract could be publicly announce before December 20th, which is what Michigan wants. This is good. If the contract extension is not announced before then assume no news, other than rumors, won’t be shared until after the playoffs. The longer it takes after the playoffs the more worried you should get about a potential exit.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
9 years running and people still get uneasy when Harbaugh's contract isn't hashed out in public.
Winter
Spring
Summer
Yell at e-Warde
Fret over Jim's decision
December 11th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
I'm going to yell at Warde regardless of JH's contract or employment status. He's not good at this job.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
Have some chamomile tea, my dude
December 11th, 2023 at 10:19 AM ^
oh christ help us
December 11th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Win two more, ask for an extra MIL per year
December 11th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
I don’t think Harbaugh is as focused on his salary - as much as he is on two other things. First, revenue sharing for players, and second - salaries for his staff.
I’m not saying that salary / bonus isn’t important to Jim - but, he’s already stated that he would “take less” if it means the players participate in revenue sharing.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
Cool, thanks
December 11th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
I hope people are ready for this to be the case for weeks until UM's season ends. There are lots of important things going on and Harbaugh spending time to argue about money when he's got a game in a couple of weeks would be a complete waste of time. And yes, I know it's his agents/attorneys doing the haggling but still, he's a football coach and I'm sure he'd mostly just focus on that until January. Nobody is going to poach him from college and he's still under contract, so there's little reason to worry about guys bolting for the portal or anything like that.
It'll happen when it happens. We're talking about millions of dollars; guys are going to take their time if they can.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
From all accounts, a contract has been offered to Harbaugh. However, there are going to be colossal sticking points:
1) How do you write up a contract fair to everyone regarding what were to happen if Harbaugh gets hit with a show-cause?
2) I subscribe to the thought that Harbaugh would jump back to the NFL only under one condition (assuming he isn't hit with a show-cause or some other odd thing happens): An NFL team offers him control of personnel. Given the Harbaugh vibe is "doesn't always play well with others" I think Harbaugh realizes that if it is going to work in the NFL for him semi-long term he needs to have almost total control. The issue is, most teams that are looking for a head coach hire a GM first and let them decide. 99.9% of GM's are not going to voluntarily turn over their power to the coach, so it presents a problem for Harbaugh if that's what he's after. But, for the sake of discussion, let's say this were to happen. How then do you write a contract in December 2023 that's fair for both parties if the Bears decide to clean house in January 2024, give Harbaugh total control and let him guide Fields (or go in another direction) and draft potentially two top 5 picks? There's no coach other than Smart or Saban that wouldn't jump at that.
Add that up, and I am not sure this gets resolved anytime soon. Also, there is the fact Harbaugh can use any smoke of an NFL job for leverage and....you're prolly going to need to check back in 6 weeks on this one.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
This makes a lot of sense, although I hope your wrong on the 6 weeks timeline but I certainly could see that scenario playing out.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
I have been plenty wrong on things before so I hope it's not the case, but Harbaugh hearing out the NFL is the best thing for him for any type of negotiation. One, he can see if anyone is willing to offer him personnel control. Two, even if they don't, he can leverage anything offered by an NFL team for more money or better contract terms for a buyout or the dreaded show-cause with Michigan if he wants to stay. I think this one is headed for the long haul so I wouldn't get too excited at this point.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Very will put Brian G. I would only add my guess, based on absolutely nothing more than being in business and negotiating contracts for about 40 years, is the terms and dollars associated with the buyout are probably the sticking point. The language surrounding the "what if" should the NCAA hammer the program & Jim himself is also most likely problematic.
Michigan will want a very high number, Jim wants a low one.
Michigan will want significant protection should the hammer fall, Jim will want assurances he's protected if he's made an example of.
Add the impending NFL openings and the likelyhood he's going to be pursued and you have a VERY complex negotiating landscape to navigate. I'm not surprised it's not done.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
I think your 3rd paragraph is likely the biggest issue and both the University and Coach have every reason to be highly concerned about it.
The notion that he could be suspended for the whole season, on the one hand seams ludicrous, but then this whole process has seemed that way to me. The school does not want to pay him to sit out and someone else to coach. From Jim's side, if the University has an out clause, and then the hammer comes down, he has already passed on his chance to possibly take an NFL job. He doesn't strike me as someone who could sit out a year and be analyst and I'm guessing he really appreciates that fact after this season when he had to watch our games on TV.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
Bears aren’t firing Eberflus with how they are playing recently.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
Now do the Chargers.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
Chargers are a very real possibility.
There is some belief that DeBoer would take the Michigan job if Harbaugh leaves.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
DeBoer might take it if offered, but I think it is 99 percent Sherrone Moore if Jim leaves.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
It was never going to be resolved until the coming NFL hiring season ends. If Harbaugh wanted to sign an extension, he would’ve signed it during the off season, before any of the NCAA stuff started. That he didn’t made his intentions obvious. He wants back in the NFL. I don’t think he’d demand full control, but he’ll want some say and a GM he thinks he can work with. The bigger question is whether he’ll get an offer, something he didn’t get during his past flirtations. A team needing a coach would be stupid not to consider him, but there’s never a shortage of stupidity and I’m sure Jed York and Trent Baalke have bad mouthed him plenty over the years. It’ll be interesting.