UFM

December 26th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^

I get that all signs point to "it's happening" but isn't the real test what happens early next week?  My understanding is that it isn't until the season is officially over that teams like the Raiders or Jets can communicate with Harbaugh and/or his agent about the job.  And even if they are sold on him they still have to interview other candidates (per the Rooney rule).  So isn't everything until then pure speculation?  Or is the prevailing thought here that Harbaugh will just rebuff the NFL teams immediately and announce his new position as the coach of UM?

 

 

jaysvw

December 26th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^

My wild ass guess is that UM probably came to some sort of agreement with the 49ers that would allow them to sign JH before the end of the NFL season, thus eliminating the threat of NFL interference.  I'm sure that "agreement" involved some money changing hands.  That could be what the Niners GM was refering to when he said UM approached them the right way. 

Tater

December 26th, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^

I agree that there is a high probability of an agreement between the 49ers and Michigan already in place. 

I wouldn't have expected this level of professionailsm from SF, but it does give them a chance to save face and look for a coach while turning a profit on the entire transaction.  That is much better than firing him on Monday, paying him $5 million and hoping he doesn't sign with Oakland. 

Kalamazoo Blue

December 26th, 2014 at 6:46 PM ^

Both Harbaugh and the Niners appear to want to move on.

But both could hold each other hostage: Harbaugh could say, "Please fire me like you want to and pay me my last year's salary." The Niners Could say, "Please quit to coach Michigan and pay us our contract buy-out."

If they're both willing to be reasonable, they could agree that no one owes anyone anything and they can both walk away and do what they want to do without further delay or drama.

But I suppose contract language and personalities can play a role, so we'll see.

UM_CLT7981

December 26th, 2014 at 5:26 PM ^

Jim Harbaugh is all about character. No way he would allow this amount of positive perception to build only to pull the plug at the last minute. His coming home is way more than just a "business" decision!

Mr Miggle

December 26th, 2014 at 8:25 PM ^

As long as Harbaugh is employed by the 49ers no other NFL can talk to him or his agent. That would constitute tampering, a serious offense in the NFL. SF can grant other teams an opportunity to negotiate with him pending a trade. They could do that at any time. Given the timing of our offer, SF should have been shopping Harbaugh around already if they had hope of making a trade. Something could happen at the last minute, but I don't think any team could wait until Monday to make a move.

 

PA MichiganMafia

December 26th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^

All of these NFL "experts" get stuff fed to them - ESPN, CBS, FOX - none of these goofs can dig up anything on their own. That's why they don't know a thing about all of this. If they actually had to effort a story, it would be a first.

Greeks for Harbaugh

December 26th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^

The spin from MSU websites is even funnier. They know the era of decent Spartan football has come to a screeching halt.

GoBLUinTX

December 26th, 2014 at 6:58 PM ^

Do you remember when the Sweater Vest said, during his introduction at a Buckeye MBB game, that the era of Michigan dominance over OSU was over?  That took some arrogant balls to say....know what, but for one exception, his words were prophetic.

Sometimes you have to lay your cards on the table and stand by them.  Harbaugh knew that in 1986, Tressel knew that 2001, and I'll wager Harbaugh knows that again in 2015.

ThadMattasagoblin

December 26th, 2014 at 5:33 PM ^

The MSU message boards are all like Harbaugh will go 5-7 every year at ScUM. The 49ers don't want him. Some still don't believe he's coming. The PSU message boards think that MSU is screwed now that they're losing Narduzzi and we're getting Harbs. They are worried about recruiting against him and I refuse to look at Bucknuts ever to see what they think.

JamieH

December 26th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^

if the 99% comes true, this will hurt MSU a lot more than Ohio State IMO.  OSU still has Urban Meyer, and there is no reason the Big Ten East can't support both an elite Michigan AND Ohio State at the same time.  Sure, they are in the same division so they can't both win every year, but having two elite programs in the same division isn't really unheard of. 

 

The odds of MSU maintaining superiority if Michigan becomes resurgent is very low IMO though, so if Harbaugh resurrects Michigan, it would come direclty at their expense. 

Helloheisman

December 26th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^

I am anxiously awaiting Tony Ortiz of 97.1 in Detroit to shoot the boot (Drink beer out of his shoe)! Harbaugh was his likely candidate that he bet would NOT take the job.

74 ZRide

December 26th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^

There is still time for something terrible to happen that leaves us all heart broken. I for one remain CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. I'd recommend we all have that approach until it's official.

titanfan11

December 26th, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^

any big declaration of "Sorry" if Harbaugh does pick Michigan.  I actually haven't understood all of the anger directed towards the NFL guys during this search.  College guys have sources, NFL guys have sources.  It is not the first time one group is wrong about something that is reported.  

My guess is that a lot of the NFL guys will be asking their sources "What the hell man?" and then potentially looking for other/more sources.  I don't think there will be much beyond that.  Although, if you are watching Sportscenter and see a topic on the left side of the screen "Schefty apologizes to MGoBloggers," DVR it,   

TheVictors

December 26th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^

I've been a bit disappointed with the arrogance of the NFL media but not shocked and my guess is that it will get a mention ...some sort of 'Michigan more appealing than what was available' a la Shefty and it's on to the Playoffs!

Harbaugh to Michigan means he's no longer part of the conversation - on to who replaces him at SF and other 'Black Monday' news

ThadMattasagoblin

December 26th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^

MSU will still be good. Going up against Urban and Harbaugh would be an enormous feat though. For all the fanfare Dantonio gets, he has just two big ten titles in 7 years. Harbaugh has a Super Bowl runner up and three NFC titles. Urban Meyer has two national championships. That's a different level of coach. Remember when we were all basking in the glow of our win in the 2011 Game and then we dismissed Urban even with his 2 NCs at Florida. The same will happen with MSU fans and they will be proven wrong.