Tweet from Harbaugh friend Todd Anson revealing concern with no deal done yet

On one hand a guy who knows a guy said something vague on Twitter.

On the other hand we hired a very well respected and long tenured DL coach from another top 10 program and despite many openings and interviews already happening, Harbaugh hasnt been involved in any of them.

One of these things probably means more than the other.

If Harbaugh leaves now, the only coach in Michigan history with a worse winning percentage against OSU than Harbaugh would be Rich Rodriguez.

Maybe the powers that be were dealing with a bigger mess and didn't want to resign him under a president they are about to fire.

He already stated at the Coach of the Year interview, that the RUMORS this year are better than last years...nothing more than rumors, business as usual.

The tweet is, at best, ambiguous. Anson is asked the question "Are you not feeling good about Harbaugh returning?" to which he replied "No, not feeling good about how long this is taking." The "No" with which Anson begins his tweet is the direct reply to the question as to whether he's concerned about Harbaugh returning. It would seem he's not concerned about that. 

I wouldn't read this tweet as telling us much of anything. 

I don't think any NFL teams with an opening have shown any interest in Harbaugh.

Unsure if the Raiders are actually interested or not. I guess we all wait to find out. It does appear from the outside that Harbaugh is also waiting to find out. 

I do think Harbaugh is a tough sell to a fanbase and locker room.

First reaction is going to be we are hiring a college guy. After watching the train wreck that was Urban Meyer. Checks Harbaugh's record vs Meyer. 

I know Harbaugh has a very successful history in the NFL, but it was almost a decade ago. 

Starting to wonder if there was any actual interest at all. 

I think we are in one of three possible places:

1. Jim really wants to stay at Michigan.   All he wants is assurance is that the administration at Michigan is going to help make that happen.   This is obviously the best place for us as Michigan fans.   I hope this is where we are.

2. Jim really wants to go to the NFL and staying at Michigan is a clear second choice.   I hope this is not where we are.

3. Jim really wants to win the big one (whether that be The CFP or the Superbowl).   He is genuinely trying to find the best place to make that happen.    I fear this is where we are.    I hope that Ward can convince Jim that Michigan is his best chance.    I do wonder how much this has to do with the University Administration vs how much it has to do with a few key donors making a commitment to a more to robust NIL program.  I also wonder if the University administration has concerns that this is a zero sum game and that donors playing in the NIL space means less money for other University priorities.    I think this would be shortsighted because my sense is a very good football team likely increases alumni enthusiasm and therefore creates a bigger pie such that alumni money going to an NIL program doesn’t have to hurt (and in fact could help) other university priorities.

Reading between the lines -- and there are a lot of lines -- tells me that Harbaugh is waiting to see what offers come. It seems as though not much appealing has been put forth, but the Raiders just lost, so I'd imagine he's waiting for a coach+GM offer there, or at least to see who the GM will be and what they will offer him. 

For those that think he's not looking, it's common knowledge he looked last year, and getting to the top of the mountain (at least, realistically) certainly wouldn't change that. He's looking, and waiting. Just like last year, Michigan is his fall-back if he doesn't get the offer he wants. 

TL;DR -- If the Raiders give him an attractive offer, he gone. This late in the (college) off-season, that would totally suck.

Its Raiders or bust and most likely has been for a while. NFL jobs get leaked so fast and easy. I'm not saying there hasn't been back channel stuff going on, but no team has even been confirmed to be reaching out to JH. If the Jags, Giants, etc wanted to talk to JH and there was serious interest, it would be out by now. The Raiders are the only option and they currently have a coach. If that dude gets fired and we hear about a formal reach out, he is most likely gone as this deal was done a long time ago privately. Its also possible that none of this has or will happen and he stays at UM so this entire post was just as much of a waste of time as the rest.  

have a great day

Probably on my own here, but I think the decisions on the new President, direction of the athletic department, and the future of NIL at Michigan is more important than Harbaugh staying or leaving. If he has a desire to coach in the NFL, I'd rather he go now. I'm glad to have him if he's all in, and I wouldn't blame him if he's sick of college football either. But without the other stuff changing, we can't compete for National Championships anyway, regardless of who coaches. 

Perhaps I missed the announcement from the U of M Athletic Department that Jim Harbaugh's pay cut was the result of any on-field or off-field issues. It seemed at the time it was pointed out that the Athletic Department lost a shitload of money in the season where we essentially had no fans in the stands, and cost cutting was the result. I don't believe Warde Manuel was in 'the sky is falling' crowd after the 2-4 season as much as he was trying to bring down AD expenditures after a season that blew up his budget. Maybe just my take, but from what we've come to know of our coach, I'd be shocked if he was embarrassed by his salary cut. I'm more of the opinion he felt he was literally taking one for the team and Warde probably told him that once the Athletic Department financial resources returned to normal, they would revisit his salary status. 

While I'm sure he would appreciate getting his old salary reinstated as a gesture of faith in him, I don't see money at the heart of whatever decision he makes. He's just not a guy with some grand lifestyle like Saban.

If he's such a good friend shouldn't he just shut up?  If he can't, then you wonder what he's getting out of this.  Therefore, ignore.

I don’t think people on this site rely heavily enough on “thoughts and prayers” in dicey situations such as this. It’s worth a try. 

If Jim is leaving please hurry up and leave.

There are so many times this guy gets in his own way. While everyone says he is “Negotiating” he is cutting his own legs off in recruiting.

Thought about this some more.

Viewing through the Raiders looking glass, what is it they want in a new HC, what is it they need.

They play in a division with Maholmes and Herbert. A conference with Burrows and Allen. 

The Raiders need a HC to take Dereck Carr from quality starting QB to upper echelon.  They need a HC that can turn those stall-out FG drives in Cincy this past Saturday into touchdowns. 

Harbaugh just isn't that guy. 

I really don't think the Raiders are in play.

I'd bet my right nut that Harbaugh stays.....but what would I do with two right nuts?

I don't think Jim leaves.  I understand his competitive fire and unfinished business in the NFL.  But he has unlimited tenure at a place he loves (Michigan) and he will always be challenged by OSU and the rest of the B1G to keep his interest level high.

I will be extremely surprised if he leaves for the NFL.

Maybe I'm a nervous bird but I went from thinking there was no way Harbaugh is leaving to "he gone". He seems interested in the NFL and the long standing Raiders / Davis family connection may finally come into play. Making a big name hire like Harbaugh seems like the Raider's style. Of course he could wind up sticking with Michigan but it's getting less likely as time goes on.

Speculation is speculation.  When we know, we'll know.  Until then we don't know and all else is speculation.  I don't know about you, but I ain't got the time or energy to analyze speculation and I don't see the point.

How good of a friend can one be if they are Tweeting about their friend in such a fashion?

It's taking too long.  We should have secured him already.  With the President being fired, I am sure there are approval issues if an offer is in the making. Cue the regents.  The fire is hot now, must strike while the iron is hot.  Somebody, somewhere, acquire courage.