Nick B says Harbaugh has his offer from Michigan
January 17th, 2022 at 10:28 PM ^
You're probably right about "ageism" cutting against him. When he left the league at 51 with almost everyone in the league clamoring for his services, he assumed he could just go right back eventually. Time passes, memories fade, the game moves on, and suddenly no one is especially interested. Add in his reputation for being difficult (and emasculating his previous owner) and it adds up to a silent phone.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:55 AM ^
Barrett Sallee on Sirius XM asked an interesting question: within the next 4 years, what is more likely to happen, win a Super Bowl with the Raiders, or a NCAA championship with Michigan?
I guess I'd have to say the CFP Championship with Michigan (technically FBS doesn't have an NCAA Championship), because I just don't see the Raiders winning the Super Bowl anytime soon.
When you look at the 49ers team he took over, that was a team with solid talent that was underperforming. That kind of team is a recipe for success, since so much of the puzzle is already in place. Tampa Bay is another, recent example. Solid talent, but underperforming. You switch out Jameis for Brady, add a couple of pieces, and go from 7-9 to Super Bowl champion. But Vegas? They don't strike me as underperforming. In fact, they seemed to overperform if anything, a fringe playoff team at best. So I think they'd need a major overhaul to become a legit SB contender.
January 18th, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
Unless Michigan's recruiting goes to a top 3-4 level for the next 4 years, the answer is the Raiders
January 17th, 2022 at 10:09 PM ^
Its been 44 days since we beat Iowa in the B10 championship, more than ample time for UM to get its ducks in a row and make JH a credible offer, which they have done. Yet, this saga continues. Why? Logic says that JH wants out, and will leave if the offer is credible enough.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
The saga continues because the NFL offer(s) never materialized.* From here on out it will likely be determined as much by which GMs are hired in open spots around the league as anything else, and whether they have some personal or professional connection to JH.
*unless it happened in the last day or two
January 17th, 2022 at 10:35 PM ^
IMO, logic dictates that Harbaugh is just doing things on his own timeline and is completely oblivious to the fickle John Q. Michigan fan's desire to re-up him immediately (a year after they mostly wanted him gone).
I do think he is rather enjoying this turn of events/this offseason as that blurb at the Bear Bryant event indicated. Whether that means he stays or goes, seems like only one person really knows.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:12 PM ^
It’s obvious he’s staying. This is home. If any enticing offer from the NFL we’re out there it would be news already.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:12 PM ^
I really want Harbaugh to stay at Michigan. But if he decides to go to the NFL, it's his choice and I would totally support that decision, thank him for all he's done here, and finally have an NFL team to seriously root for again. I gave up on the Lions when Barry Sanders did. Go Jim Harbaugh, where ever that may be! And GO BLUE!
January 17th, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
I have stayed out of the Harbaugh coaching topic since it was literally created out of thin air for clicks immediately following the Michigan-Georgia game.
After reading various posts on here for the last couple of weeks, I have one conclusion: most of you are fucking insane.
Here are the facts:
1. Harbaugh is currently under contract;
2. Harbaugh is hiring additional staff;
3. Harbaugh is hitting the recruiting trail hard. (In fact, he just got another recruit a few hours ago and is likely in the living room of another top recruit as of now);
4. The Raiders DO NOT have a job opening as they have a coach whom the players are advocating to retain; and
5. Jim Harbaugh loves the University of Michigan.
Does anyone in their right mind think he is leaving a job he loves and moving his entire family to Las Fucking Vegas to work for Mark Davis? Does anyone really believe that Harbaugh will leave to coach the Chicago Bears, one of the worst franchises in the NFL that has absolutely zero chance of competing for a division title?
Stop allowing yourselves to be trolled.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:17 PM ^
I'm in my right mind (relatively) and the answer is yes. Doesn't mean it will happen, thankfully.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:42 PM ^
All you have demonstrated with your argument is that staying is very much on the table.
Here are some other facts:
1. There is significant press about Harbaugh leaving
2. Significant press about a head coach leaving creates uncertainty for recruits
3. Much if that uncertainty would be put to rest by a new contract. Even an announcement by Harbaugh (buttressed by the facts you point out) would be very helpful
4. Many credible sources report such a contract is on the table and that Harbaugh has yet to agree to it.
5. Specifically with regards to the Raider job:
- The Raiders are in fact interviewing candidates for the head coaching job
- Jim Harbaugh has a very good relationship with the owner of the Raiders
- Jim Harbaugh’s wife used to live in Las Vegas
Why would anyone in their right mind feel like they could say with certainty that Harbaugh is staying
It seems pretty reasonable to believe either of the following:
1. Jim is likely to stay, there are just some details being worked out.
2. Jim is very interested in what might be on the table from the NFL and for the right offer, he would leave.
Given the facts, suggesting anyone is unreasonable for believing either of those things, seems pretty unreasonable.
As much as I would like to be in camp #1 - Jim is staying, it is hard for me to look at the facts and convince myself that option #2 is not more likely.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:59 PM ^
I think #1 is more likely. But, I don't think you're unreasonable to suggest that you might not be unreasonable and for thinking my position isn't reasonably unreasonable. Stop being so reasonable.
Dream job, he has kids in school, his family is nearby (dad's not getting any younger), his decision impacts JayBaugh and all the young staffers/recruits he brought in recently--I'd imagine Jim would give that due consideration. Best season result in his tenure (one of the best in UM history per Harbaugh's own words). Just getting started/new beginning (per Harbaugh's own words). Still has a losing record against rivals (unfinished business). Leave 5* QB JJ McCarthy and not coach him, after suffering thru O'Korn et al, really? Lots of possibilities to even the playing field with a new (old) UM President, NIL "taskforce" or whatever'll end up happening. The NFL smoke seems to be at least 50% people trying to fill an information vacuum, in my opinion.
I at least recognize that the NFL rumors are worth considering at this point, whereas I was in the "no way, go to bed you're drunk" camp a couple weeks ago about that.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:01 PM ^
That you cite "significant press" as your first piece of evidence is laughable. In fact, almost all of the evidence you cite relies on "press reports."
None of this "press" you speak of contains anything other than pure speculation that certain NFL teams might have interest in Harbaugh and that he "might" listen to offers. There are no quotes from Harbaugh or from anyone in his camp, so forgive me if I do not put much stock in these press reports. That Harbaugh is not knocking down these endless stories about non-existent interest and meetings with various NFL teams and is -- instead -- doing his job is proof of nothing other than that the guy is busting his ass to build a better program.
But, sure, I guess I believe that Harbaugh is considering moving his young children away from their grandparents and telling his son to find another job because he thinks he can win a Super Bowl with a team that hasn't had a playoff victory in 20 years and now finds itself in a tough division without a quarterback who can realistically be expected to win.
Like I said: Fucking insane.
January 18th, 2022 at 7:12 AM ^
Whether the press reports are true or not, they are a fact. Everything else that flows from that fact is logical. Greatly diminishing the impact of the press reports is easy to do. No quotes from Harbaugh cuts both ways and with regards to “his camp”. There are multiple people who know Harbaugh better than you or I who suggest he hasn’t made up his mind.
Your lead arguments seem to be:
Jim is still doing his job:
1. Plenty of coaches “are doing their job” up to the day they quit
2. My argument is that he hasn’t decided - of course he is going to keep doing his job if he might come back to it.
Jim is considering moving his young children away from their grandparents.
1. Many kids don’t live near their grandparents
2. Their grandparents can move
3. Sarah Harbaugh used to live in Las Vegas so presumably she likes it there
Jim wouldn’t want to tell his son to find another job
1. Do you think Jay Harbaugh would struggle to find another job?
2. Why can’t he go to Las Vegas?
The Raiders can’t win a Superbowl
1. When Jim took over the 49ers,they hadn’t been in the playoffs for nearly 10 years and hadn’t one a wildcard game for nearly 15.
2. Can Michigan win a national championship? (BTW I think they can, but I am pretty sure most people on this board would argue that is crazy).
Your arguments are reasonable, discounting the alternative is only looking at the facts that favor your argument and discounting the ones that don’t for pretty weak reasons. Calling people who disagree with you “fucking insane” doesn’t make your arguments any better.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
How, exactly, do you define "significant press"?
January 17th, 2022 at 10:53 PM ^
Sorry. I hope he stays too but take off your rose colored glasses. By all reports, Michigan made him an offer exceeding his expectations. If Oakland fires Bisaccia and gives him near Gruden money and control, I think he gone.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:11 PM ^
There you go again with all those media "reports."
If the last several years have taught us anything, be extremely skeptical of initial media reports as they are frequently inaccurate and missing necessary context.
The reality is that none of what is contained in these reports is coming from Harbaugh and -- almost certainly -- not coming from his camp. Remember the guy doesn't have an agent and there is a very small circle of people who know his decision-making process. I would suspect that even if there is a decision-making process -- which I doubt because all of this "smoke" is likely made up to generate ad revenue -- that only his family is involved in it. That's a good thing because I doubt that his parents are advising him to move their grandchildren 2,000 miles away so he can work for Mark Davis.
For what its worth, I think I will call my post a "report," so you and others can cite to it as evidence of Harbaugh's intentions.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
Completely agree with you. People are judging his actions, responses, and lack of responses as if he is Brian Kelly or Lincoln Riley. Not even close. Money and prestige matters little to him at this point. He is worlds different than all of the players on the coaching carousel.
Your point about family is one that I have been making all along. His children going to the school that he used to attend, his daughter at U of M on the water polo team, and his parents in close proximity is more important than anything that Vegas can offer. Dragging his elderly parents half way across the country and thousands of miles away from his brother and sister cannot be an attractive option at this point.
January 18th, 2022 at 10:08 AM ^
Many children don’t live in the same town or state as their grandparents. Many kids go to college far from their parents. Sure, these are reasons for Harbaugh to stay, but pretending like they are some huge obstacle to his leaving is ridiculous.
January 18th, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
You are correct, but the unique situation here is that right now, the grandkids do live in the same town as the Grandparents. So moving them away would be a dramatic experience.
I say this from personal experience. I grew up with my grandparents in Cap Code and St. Louis. Only getting to see them once a year...maybe. Now with my wife and grown kids, here parents were only 15 minutes away the whole time raising them. Personally, now having seen both sides of the situation. I could not fathom pulling my kids away from their grandparents.
Is this the end all be all factor when making a life decision, no. But it would factor in and having something and pulling it away is far worse than never having something to start with....
January 18th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
We are talking about Jim Harbaugh. For many others, I agree, it would not be a big issue. But pretending it would not be a problem for JH is ridiculous. This is a man who set up a podcast with his dad so his wisdom would be recorded for posterity.
The JH to the NFL discussion falls short because it assumes his motives as if he is your run of the mill head football coach. He is not. He is very far from that.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
Thanks. I cant write this again. Its exhausting. Some just live for the drama.
January 18th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
You can’t write this again because it is so exhausting yet you accuse others of living for the drama?
January 17th, 2022 at 11:40 PM ^
Wait a minute, I happen to really like Las Fucking Vegas. But I agree that working for an ass clown like Mark Davis is a bridge too far over troubled and very weird waters.
I think Harbaugh stays at Michigan and we go on to win the NC this upcoming season.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:20 AM ^
why would anyone with other options choose to go work for Mark Davis, who is an absolute jackass.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:20 AM ^
why would anyone with other options choose to go work for Mark Davis, who is an absolute jackass.
January 18th, 2022 at 1:58 AM ^
Right now I'm 50/50 because the word on the street is that Davis wants Harbaugh to be his next coach and firing their GM will clear the way to offer Harbaugh a big deal that includes being the coach and GM. I'm afraid that may be too sweet of deal for Harbaugh. However,, on the other hand,, Harbaugh got the ND DLINE coach to come to Michigan and He's out recruiting hard. We may find out next week if Harbaugh signs the big Michigan deal or heads off to the Raiders. I just hope the AD has been doing a coaching search behind the scenes. We will need a top coach in here ASAP if Harbaugh leaves.
January 18th, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
I think he stays…but you put nothing in that long post that is concrete in cementing the fact that “he’s going nowhere!” If the Raiders have not called him, he has to go about doing his current job. Otherwise he handicaps himself if they choose to go with another option. We all would be foolish to think he would just sit at home and do nothing at this time. The NFL is a legitimate option, it is just on him if he thinks now is the right time to make the move.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:34 PM ^
So Mike Elston left a secure, long-term gig with Notre Dame where he was very highly regarded for a similar position at Michigan when he has no definitive knowledge of who his immediate boss will be?
I suppose anything is possible, but that would be one weird development.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:52 PM ^
How do you know it was secure? How do you know that the new HC of ND didn't want to go in another direction? Plausible that he needed to leave and Michigan with or without Harbaugh provided him a new home. Also plausible that Harbaugh just takes him with if he leaves.
Harbaugh is a smart guy. Way smarter than most coaches. I think he recognizes that if he doesn't leave now, he may never. He isn't getting any younger. His stock is sky high now in a fashion that may not be repeatable. If he's given full control of a team, it would shock me if he passed that up.
Any inherent dedication and loyalty he might have felt for the U of M was incinerated when they publicly flogged him and made him take a paycut last year. He feels free to leave without guilt and may just do it.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:54 PM ^
Harbaugh will take McDonald, leaving Elston as the DC under?
January 17th, 2022 at 11:02 PM ^
If he leaves, we are a bit screwed here. The timing is suboptimal. Strikes me that Warde looks internal for the sake of a quick move and continuity. Maybe he gets motivated by the youth movement and goes with Mike Hart? Maybe Gattis? Probably one of the two.
A two or three week flirtation with Luke Fickell or whomever can't be that attractive. Quite frankly, I like the poach-the-OSU-guy model. It worked with Moeller and Bo. I'm certain he would take the Michigan job if offered. I want Harbaugh to be the coach for life but if he left, Fickell would be my choice.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
There are at least a half a dozen NFL jobs open each and every year. Jim Harbaugh will be hired for one of them whenever he so desires. He does not need to leave this year or anytime in the near future in order to get one. In fact, that's the best part of the Raiders or the Bears jobs. They will be open again in 3 or 4 years maximum. That's why they are shit jobs and Harbaugh is not leaving for either one of them.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:29 PM ^
HC + GM is a situation that is certainly not presented every year. For a playoff team, no less. Located in a city his wife has ties to. The only reason the HC job is open is because Gruden is a moron, not because of underperformance or odd expectations (those exist at Michigan, PS).
Bears are too stupid to offer him GM + HC so I don't think they are a threat.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:36 PM ^
If it wasn’t secure and he wanted to remedy that condition, why would he go to another program where he had no definitive knowledge of who his next boss would be? He had an excellent rep as a coach and as a recruiter—is there no other bigtime P5 program in the country with an established coach that would be interested in him?
I think this situation is one that’s approaching the point where resorting to Occam’s Razor is justified. By far the simplest explanation is that Harbaugh hired Elston because he intends to be head coach at Michigan next season.
January 18th, 2022 at 8:09 AM ^
Good point, Don!
January 18th, 2022 at 10:36 AM ^
I think another simple explanation is that both ND's and Michigan's coaching situations are in flux or potentially in flux and Elston thought Ann Arbor was the right choice. I'm sure he is aware Harbaugh is potentially looking into the NFL but Michigan has a back up plan consisting of (probably) Gattis being the HC and keeping everything else as-is and Elston was fine with that option
However I tend to agree the simplest answer is that Elston knows Harbaugh will return. Otherwise he risks moving back to Ann Arbor only to work for 1) a brand new HC in Gattis or 2) have a new guy coming in who wants a different DL coach
January 18th, 2022 at 6:57 PM ^
"Otherwise he risks moving back to Ann Arbor only to work for 1) a brand new HC in Gattis or 2) have a new guy coming in who wants a different DL coach"
Exactly. I don't get why people think this is something Elston would blithely do. When you've reached the career stage and professional influence he has, you don't need to take that desperate a leap. He could name his ticket at plenty of big-time programs.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:37 PM ^
On the subject of public flogging and the incineration of dedication and loyalty:
Wasn't the structure of Harbaugh's current contract his idea?
Didn't he literally say it wasn't a big deal because its "only money" when asked about it?
Didn't he donate over a million dollars of his salary this year to the University's athletic department?
Didn't he say that he would coach Michigan for free a few weeks ago?
Didn't he throw his entire heart and soul into coaching this team after the alleged public flogging?
If so, I would say he still has a ton of dedication and loyalty to this program.
January 18th, 2022 at 11:00 AM ^
I never read anything that said it was Harbaugh's idea to take the cut. Maybe he agreed to it and they made it seem mutual but I doubt he volunteered it from the outset. Could be wrong.
I never said he was doing any of this for money. I said it had to do with respect. This should have been fixed in the middle of the season and was not.
I agree that he has a ton of dedication and loyalty to the program. However, when the chips were down, the program did not show the same.
Hopefully this can all be repaired promptly.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Jim will take Macdonald with him to Vegas. So I think Elston would be in line to be the next DC when the new coach is named. coach. Plus Michigan will have no time for a coaching search and the next coach will be an internal promotion. i think that is the wrong way to go!
January 19th, 2022 at 7:31 PM ^
If Harbaugh goes to Vegas, I think it’s much more likely Vic Fangio is his DC than Mike MacDonald.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:57 PM ^
At this point Jim has to make a freakin call soon right? like this week? This is getting ridiculous.
Either do it or don’t so we can stay the course of move on.
Not shitting on Jim at all, do you sir, but now this is dragging on pretty long here.
January 17th, 2022 at 10:59 PM ^
This isn't remotely true. The most obvious and attractive coaching vacancy to him is not open yet. That team was playing up until Saturday. He's obviously waiting to see what they say. Can you blame him?
January 17th, 2022 at 11:59 PM ^
No I don’t blame him at all, BUT to see all these pics of him here and there with recruits ….and hiring a really good coach…if he does jump , and I support him all the way if he does, it will still sting.
Raiders firing GM is not a good sign, to me at least. If they offer Jim a nice contract and have GM responsibilities ….he’s taking that. As he should.
just saying, i hope this doesn’t drag on too much longer either way. All about recruiting. i know Jim says “you don’t commit to the coach, you commit to the school” but still, I’d expect some attrition
January 17th, 2022 at 11:20 PM ^
Harbaugh has a contract through 2025. What is this decision you speak of?
January 17th, 2022 at 11:41 PM ^
He’s obviously waiting for an overture, probably from LV.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
Obviously . . . .
January 17th, 2022 at 11:26 PM ^
I heard he was considering Green Bay if by some miracle that job opened up but would turn it down because it’s too cold (see how dumb that narrative sounds)
