jimmyjoeharbaugh

December 8th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^

i would hazard a guess here that JUB is acting as a UM mouthpiece here to pressure harbaugh a bit. 

notice that he says the ball is in harbs' court but makes no mention of buyout, bonuses, the previous stuff about the nfl opt-out, ncaa investigations, etc.

just the $55 Million and it's up to harbaugh

set up to make it shift the blame to harbaugh if he has some sticking points

 

maybe a bit cynical, but just want to throw that out there as one way to look at it

Joined: 09/12/2018

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UMVAFAN

December 8th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^

The contract should be very simple. Set the base salary, identify the length of the contract, put in incentives, and put in a buyout clause that scales downward every year to disincentive Jim from going to the NFL.

Or they could give a nod to Jim’s dreams and aspirations, and have a big buyout that doesn’t scale down each year, but will be removed completely if Michigan wins the National Championship. I’d love to see him retire as Michigan’s head coach, but if he wins a National Championship, he more than deserves the choice to chase his 1.b. dream if that’s his desire without paying a huge buyout to do so. That would be a contract that truly aligns Michigan’s goals with Jim’s goals, and shows how much the University respects him. 

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spacecowboy

December 8th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^

...take the money and donate 90% to the peace corp, unicef, DWB, EWB, etc.  Coach because you enjoy doing it and live in as good a place as anywhere to do it and have a dynasty in the making.  Just my 2 MF cents Jim.

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Yooper

December 8th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^

I think that Michigan is taking the wrong approach here. Let events play out. Don’t make Harbaugh effectively choose now. He loves Michigan and is likely to stay, especially as his NFL options seemingly reduce each year. The last thing an entity needs is an unhappy leader. If he stays great. If he leaves, sad, but we now have one or more strong internal candidates at worst. Apparently, to my surprise, his flirtations don’t impact the ability to assemble a gear culture and great team. Give him the contract w/out the constraint and move on. 

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UMVAFAN

December 8th, 2023 at 4:28 PM ^

I think they should put a constraint in the contract as a large buyout ($8-11M) but allow it to evaporate if he wins the National Championship (even if it’s as soon as this January). Michigan’s goal is not to handcuff Jim but to win big with Jim as the football team’s leader. If they attain the ultimate goal of a National Championship, then free Jim to make the decision that brings him the most fulfillment. Also, put in an incentive that if he wins the National Championship, they’ll make him the highest paid coach in college and the pros,  it just the Big Ten. I think this approach would get him to sign the extension and would likely put the NFL noise to rest if Michigan doesn’t win the title now or in the next few years.

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Bronson

December 8th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^

I don't know how anyone sees the dissemination of this story in the media as anything but a bad sign.

I want Harbaugh to stay more than anything, but it's pretty clear he's looking for reasons to go. If you're deluding yourself on that front, go with God I guess.

Doesn't mean he won't be coaching Michigan next year. Just means all things being equal, his preference is probably to be coaching in the NFL. For a non dumpster fire of a franchise, if at all possible.

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