Is JH's floor 10 wins to return?
New DC, Mike McDonald's salary was recently reported by Freep here. Sorry about the Freep as I know many don't like them. The salary itself is nothing overly interesting ($1 million/year for 3 years), but the bonuses seem noteworthy specifically the one about wins. McDonald gets an extra $50k for every win over 9 wins. I've never heard of that language in a contract before for an assistant. He doesn't get anything extra for 7, 8, or 9 wins. But, he's gets $50k for win #10, $50k more for win #11, etc. all the way up until $200k. Reading between the lines it almost sounds as if JH was told he needs to win 10 games to keep his job. He's highly incentivizing his new d-coordinator to win more than 9 games.
February 5th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Fair weather fans are people like OSU fans who think Day should be fired because they made two CFP playoffs and didn’t win a title. Fair weather fans are not people who have seen their team lose to a rival 5 straight years, get embarrassed by another rival in the middle of a rebuild and have no reason to change their expectations.
February 5th, 2021 at 3:19 AM ^
Next year is 11 wins.
February 5th, 2021 at 3:57 AM ^
No, this team is in rebuild mode. Cade will probably be QB and we will beak in our new stud RB and WRs. The defense will be young. I would say the floor is 6 to 7 wins and a bowl game. 2022 would be win 9 games or else. I'm sure down the road may be 3 or 4 years, Harbaugh will have to beat OSU or he is done.
February 5th, 2021 at 5:12 AM ^
Why set the bar so low? Maybe beating the buckeyes 70-0 and winning the national championship would be more appropriate as a minimum? /s
February 5th, 2021 at 5:42 AM ^
I have great respect for Harbaugh and Michigan was very fortunate to get him when they did. This is not a normal coaching situation because of the budgets. His contract is now very budget friendly and I know that doesn't normally matter in sports but many schools will be facing financial realities that will be grim. The states will be worse off and will be even more willing to take from university budgets than normal. This is a cascading crisis.
So for that reason I think they will keep him with 7 - 8 wins or, god forbid, even less. Handling the transfer portal will be very important. Seems like DB depth and OT would be good areas to improve in. This will be a very young team and a few older quality players seems needed.
February 5th, 2021 at 6:16 AM ^
(makes wanking motion)
February 5th, 2021 at 7:19 AM ^
I believe the language in the contract is actually a bonus at 9 wins and above. So the team wins 10 games, Macdonald would receive a bonus of $100k.
They the floor is 9 wins based on your theory. But in reality, I think the floor is 8 wins. Maybe 7 based on if there are improvements against MSU, PSU, Wisconsin, and OSU.
If he loses 5 close games to MSU, PSU, Wisc, OSU and Washington, it will be a tough pill to swallow but he might get the benefit of the doubt (again) because of a new staff.
Alternatively, if he loses 4 games to PSU, Wisc, OSU, and MSU and gets blown out by them, I think he's done.
Lose three and he's safe, unless OSU completely annihilates them, Rutgers style.
Lose two and most people are back on the Harbaugh hype train.
Lose one and people start losing their minds.
February 5th, 2021 at 7:46 AM ^
not all thoughts need to appear on the message board.
February 5th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
I see UM going 14-0 next year. So, that $200 is in the bag.
February 5th, 2021 at 10:00 AM ^
The incentives are obviously there but I seriously doubt that would be a requirement to return
February 5th, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
Michigan plays a BRUTAL schedule in 2021 with Washington, NIU before running the gauntlet of the B10 schedule. Michigan will not be winning 10 games next year UNLESS they get a great QB on the field and a defense. Harbaugh is not getting fired unless they look lifeless and unmotivated like they did this year.
February 5th, 2021 at 1:31 PM ^
That's pretty delusional. He would have to tank the next 2 to 3 seasons before he would be fired. Do you really think Michigan is going to pay out 10 new contracts after just one season?
February 5th, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
I thought people on this blog were up in arms about coaches (especially JH) getting paid regardless of outcomes. Now, there is some reward involved for winning more games above a certain level and hitting various performance measurements. It’s more about optics for the fan base and alumni and media than any cash incentive for almost any coach you can name. You’ve all been heard, see what we did.
February 5th, 2021 at 5:32 PM ^
The motivation for these young coaches is not going to be the money in incentives. Building there brand is going to be there motovation. Come to Michigan and crush it and your career will take off and you will get paid. If Harbaugh was indeed looking to go to the nfl but had no takers,he will be hungry to rebuild his brand.
GO BLUE
February 5th, 2021 at 11:38 PM ^
Warde needs to draw up contracts that give each coach a $500,000 bonus for beating Ohio State. I wonder if that would help motivate the coaches more to get to OSU’s level.