How Warde Handles Coaching Searches [edit: Today's thread for all Harbaugh speculation]
The football coaching search parallels a different coaching search Michigan had for basketball back in 2019. While John Beilein's departure was a surprise to many, in 2018 he gave indications to Warde Manuel that he may be interested in NBA opportunities. Warde Manuel used that information to create a list of potential hires. Something he almost certainly has done for football dating back to last year (or possibly earlier).
Below is a quote, and an MLive link with some info from Warde when Michigan was in the middle of the basketball coaching search.
“I’m always prepared, try to be at least,” he said. “You hope to never have to do anything with it, but you try to prepare and think about next steps and have conversations around what that would look like and who that may be but wasn’t hoping to implement any plans.”
https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/05/warde-manuel-surprised-by-john-bei…
February 1st, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
I swear people are just making up shit at this point. Money has never been an issue at UM, "access" is...what, exactly? Admissions in terms of transfers is an issue but it's been one for decades; if it's just now annoying Harbaugh then I don't know what to say but he's known about it for a while.
The only thing UM can't offer Harbaugh is the NFL, and so if he wants that then there's nothing that will change that from their end.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
"Admissions in terms of transfers is an issue but it's been one for decades; if it's just now annoying Harbaugh then I don't know what to say but he's known about it for a while. "
The transfer landscape is drastically different now than it was when Harbaugh was first hired.....
February 1st, 2022 at 11:49 AM ^
I get that but UM has always been restrictive of transfers and it's not like guys transferring started last year. I'm sure it's a point of contention with Harbaugh but I've not seen any evidence that it's some major sticking point for him previously. I think people keep trying to find some magic bullet to justify why a guy who had a ton of success in the NFL and maybe wants to give it another go is looking at an NFL opening helmed by a GM he worked with previously and seems to get along with. Harbaugh may well jump to the NFL because he wants to jump to the NFL, not because he's pissed off about NIL, transfers, his salary, etc.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
MSU just used the transfer portal to make a new years 6 bowl. A team can drastically make improvements and fill roster holes with the transfer portal and players no longer having to sit a year if they transfer.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
The vast majority of MSU's top performers last year were guys already on the roster. Walker was the big exception but otherwise all of their top receivers, their QB, something like 8 of their top 10 tacklers, etc. were guys they recruited/were on the team already.
Does it help at the fringes? Sure. But if you're trying to grab a third-year player who couldn't see the field for Florida or Texas and hoping he's going to suddenly turn into a stud, you're likely going to be disappointed.
UM does need to address their transfer rules for the student body more generally but I also think UM was never going to go the MSU route of flipping an entire roster and my guess is we'll see them adapt and go after grad transfers and 1st-year players harder.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
Harbaugh isn't Nick Saban, Dabo, etc. He's a great coach, but the quality we love about him is that he's "our guy." Leaving for the NFL after beating OSU for the first time kind of undermines the premise of being our guy. This whole charade kind of does.
I hope he stays, but he's really been more of a builder, so I could see him leaving. We'll be fine. After leaving Stanford, they went on to win 3 Pac 12 titles and 4 division titles, playing in the Fiesta and 3 Rose Bowls.
The 49ers were back in the Super Bowl 6 years after. I think we can be confident that Warde isn't going to hire Jim Tomsula.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:37 AM ^
Note I am saying this with pure fandom and copium, but Harbaugh essentially gave up his opportunity to be considered a legend compared to other Michigan greats if he leaves. If he prefers the NFL so be it, but it does take some nerve to talk shit about OSU with "starting on third base" and "this is just the beginning", to then bolt to the NFL after your feelings were hurt because you got a pay cut for underachieving your first six years.
I wish Jim the best, but rooting for Michigan will always be my number 1 priority. Jim can worry about his family and NFL desires, but if he gone, he gone.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
If his feelings were hurt by the pay cut, why did he give his bonus money back?
Some of you seem to be doing mental gymnastics to shelter your own feelings.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:46 AM ^
I literally just said my post was copium, so yeah, I am sheltering my own feelings.
Our coach is leaving in February on the eve of spring ball. This sucks, and btw, there was hurt feelings between admin and Harbaugh with the pay cut. Chris Balas, an insider, has reported it.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
You can have your pride hurt by being forced to take a pay cut without actually caring about the money.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
Good point! There's no way we don't win the Pac 12 next year if Jim leaves.
Kidding aside, yes, the program is currently in good shape and could compete for conference titles with another coach provided Warde makes a good hire. The sky may not fall if JH leaves.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:41 AM ^
I. JUST. WANT. IT. TO. STOP.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
Brady has just announced his retirement. It'll be on the board quickly.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:46 AM ^
brady, earnie harwell, bud lynch and keith jackson are going to form their own sports broadcast network. you heard it here first.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:08 AM ^
Don't forget Van Patrick, voice of the Lions from 1950 to 1974. Best Lions announcer in Lions history.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
But not if you wanted to know the true yardline.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
We will either have Harbaugh or we will have someone else. No one knows how it will play out and the only certainty is that the many fans will become irrational, emotional, and angry no matter what.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:45 AM ^
And that's why you've ascended to KING tot.....
A common sense comment, not rife with biased, jaded and irrational opinion and speculation.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:47 AM ^
So he maintains contingency plans, like managers everywhere do? Okay.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:50 AM ^
I heard a rumor that Jim Harbaugh is considering a return to coaching in the NFL. If he leaves, do you think that Michael Barrett is ready to step into the head coaching role at UM or would he need a few seasons as DC before he makes that leap?
I'll hang up and listen...
February 1st, 2022 at 9:52 AM ^
Warde is about to have a hell of a decision on his plate. There is appeal to hiring Gattis, promoting hart, and you continue to hire top notch defensive coaches and pay them damn well.
There is also a chance it turns into a cajun hoke scenario where they have a kick ass '22 season due to the stacked team and schedule but if Gattis et al are not up to the challenge it falls apart.
Does Gattis have what it takes to be a CEO? I'm not sure. Has he learned enough to be ready for that? If you hire the right "up and comer" it can be great...it can also be terrible if it's the wrong fit.
I know people get upset when I say it (which seems weird) but spring practice isn't far off...
February 1st, 2022 at 10:03 AM ^
If JH leaves, and I'm not convinced that's going to happen, I would hope Warde hires a head coach and doesn't create one. Not saying Gattis isn't going to be a HC at some point, but after the debacle we had prior to the Harbaugh hire, I'd much rather avoid OJT with our next HC.
Consider Mike Hart has just as many years coaching as Gattis, he's never been a coordinator, but he was the associate HC at Indiana.... Not sure he isn't just as valid an option, IF Warde thinks giving someone with zero head coaching experience a shot. I would not be in favor of that, unless JH sticks around for a few more years and specifically mentors Hart or Gattis for the job.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
I'm with you there 100%. If they do interviews and Warde feels like Gattis is "the guy" I'm also ok with it but they should go out there and find the best coach and let the cards fall will they may.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
This take by Nick is pretty bad. I don't know if it is true.
https://twitter.com/nickbaumgardner/status/1488521080058875913?s=20&t=JmUXuoYTEOIPdCNcRFR2LA
February 1st, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
Baumgardner can’t stand Harbaugh, which not only goes way back but is openly acknowledged by Baumgardner.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
I understand that, but a few other reporters have confirmed his take. Just take a look at the tread.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
If it is a coach from outside may be the following?
Matt Campbell would jump at our job if offered.
Matt Rhuel said he would take the Michigan job if offered. But the Panthers are giving him another season.
PJ Fleck, I liked him better when he was coaching WMU but would also take the Michigan job if offered.
Luke Fickell said he would never coach at Michigan. But if he was offered the job he would take it. Bo was a big OSU guy and was an assistant coach under Woody and still jumped at the Michigan job.
There is word that the Alabama OC Bill O'brien would be interested in our job but is he really any better than Gattis?
February 1st, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
Bo actually left ohio state to become head coach at Miami of OH... was HC there for 5 seasons before he became HC at U of M. I'm not sure being an assistant at ohio state for 5 years is the same as playing there, being on coaching staff and aspiring to be the next HC.
I actually like Fickell, he seems to be a genuinely good guy. He doesn't fit the profile to coach under the toilet seat... but I don't think he comes to MI.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
If there's a new HC at Michigan, there needs to be a strong level of retainment of the staff. Clink, Gattis, Moore, Hart, and Bellamy IMO need to stay regardless who is the HC.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:36 AM ^
Fickell is not coming here for any reason.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^
A couple of things Jim’s not committed to U-M, if he was he would have shut all these rumors to the NFL down quickly. Second had brother John not suggested or should I say implemented changes to our defense he might be gone after this season anyway. And last the “smart” people at Michigan have to decide the direction for Michigan football either continue on the path of this year or become Northwestern a good season sprinkled in here and there, but on the down season’s we will keep hearing how smart the university academics programs are. My guess is nobody will be “smart” enough to figure out what to do with the NIL.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:18 AM ^
Question: would you consider yourself a good candidate to chair the “smart” people at Michigan committee? Or would you at least consider submitting your name for toxic fanbase liaison?
February 1st, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
I don’t claim the smart label that a lot of Michigan people do, I’ve been watching Michigan football since 1969 and I’ve seen numerous times the last 20 years where Michigan football has been late to adjust. Now is the the time to get ahead on the NIL plus get the right coach in place with the National brand and facilities we have there was no reason for us to go 17 years between Big Ten titles or not even to be in the title game period. Forget some of the administrative hires that were bad our hiring of football coaches after Lloyd and AD’s before Warde were very questionable.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
Hire Tom Brady.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
Or alternatively someone qualified, experienced, and interested in coaching.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
Not sure if having to hire late in the cycle is a major disadvantage or not. The good thing is the available coaches don't have anywhere else to comparison shop and try to get a higher salary.
Also, when you hired JH, I thought it was a good choice: He had done well at Stanford and the 49ers, no reason to think he'd do otherwise. Also liked the way he poked the establishment (NCAA) with the remote camps, spring trips, etc. He is/ was a different bird!
February 1st, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
The way this is all unfolding makes Harbaugh look like a sleazeball. This is Petrino level of sleaziness. Sickening.
Had he just turned in his keys, said 'goodbye' and 'thanks' to his staff and team, it would be a different story.
But this sleazeball is traveling on the Vikings dime to literally interview for another job, while currently employed as the head football coach of The University of Michigan.
Fucking sleazy if you ask me.
Thanks for the memories. Good riddance.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
Dude are you serious? You wanted him to stop doing his job and turn his keys in before an NFL team even interviewed him? You don’t live in the real world do you?
February 1st, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
100% sleaze ball.
The best is yet to come.
Wait until this jack ass gets turned down by Minny and then all of a sudden becomes the Dolphins coach.
SLEEEEEAAAAZZZZZY!!!
February 1st, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
He said he would listen to NFL offers and that is exactly what he is doing. Stop being so emotional.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:07 AM ^
yes,.......
February 1st, 2022 at 11:14 AM ^
Ok, I'll admit. I'm a little emotional today as this circus seems to be never-ending. I'm over it.
If Harbaugh's end goal is to become a NFL head coach again, he should exit stage right and hand the keys over to someone else.
Take a year off. Do the whole TV thing. Who cares. Just stop toying with your players, coaches, fans, etc. Either you are all in, or you aren't. Its not that hard.
All of that aside, Harbaugh is still pretty damn sleazy. :)
February 1st, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
You have an odd understanding of the definition of sleazy.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:07 PM ^
So whenever you decide to interview for another job, you quit your current job? How does that work out for you?
February 1st, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
if harbaugh leaves, i hope the next coach will at least have a spring game
February 1st, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
Thanks for telling us that he is doing what ever single AD in major college sports does, a short list. Great update!
February 1st, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
does being prepared make this more seamless if a change takes place? Basically, does saying.. here's what i want and hope for work out better than no plan at all? Is part of the plan reaching out under the table?
February 1st, 2022 at 11:19 AM ^
I love Jim, but the fact that he is doing an interview on signing day is complete BS IMO, and really just pisses me off if we are going to be honest. I understand we don't know the logistics, he may have already told recruits and they may know who the next man up is if he is already in the building. Guy wants to win a Super Bowl and is ultra competitive, I can respect that, but again interview on signing day, seriously man WTF. It is very much clear that if he is not going to go the NFL he is next year or the Next. Do it now and Cut bait Warde, and just hire the next guy. This is business. remove whatever offer you have on the table and tell Jim Good Luck Buddy.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:31 AM ^
Can you identify those football coaches who aren't "ultra-competitive"?