What is “love”? Harbaugh Hypothosis

Yes, I know this risks the dreaded snowflake designation. But, alas, on this the first Saturday after the football season, the first Saturday as National Champions (Naturday anyone?) The Saturday we celebrate with a parade;  our greatest concern is will the most Michigan of Michigan Men lead us forward.. I believe this thread is worth it.

I believe Harbaugh, at his core, is a man of integrity. Innocent as a dove but shrewd as a  serpent.  Harbaugh does not seem to have time or energy for anything that distract him from the things that matter to him and so he aligns his every aspect of life for synergy and efficiency. Personal, professional, spiritual, relational, etc. aligned. 

Harbaugh has been attacking Faith, Family, Football with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind since his earliest memories.  All of it exemplified in phrases like Leaders and Best, Michigan Man, The Teamx3, those who stay, better today than yesterday etc.  All phrases we hear and have heard and are tempted to write off as hyperbole or coach speak. 
 

We KNOW Harbaugh is different.  This isn’t coach speak, this is his core identity.  We see this in his coaches and team Faith, Football, Family all merged into a beautiful tapestry we call team 144.  He has reached a pinnacle, a goal, but for the jackhammer, there is no rest. 
 

What is next? What does it mean to be loved? This next section is equal parts wild speculation and listening to the man whonhas led us to where we are today.  A few posters shared similar thoughts in the Bacon thread and so I post this thread in violent agreement with them. I also wonder how many others think the same way…

“The Love” for Harbaugh isn’t the money, it also isn’t his job security (aka the guaranteed money).  These things are important for sure, but Harbaugh doesn’t need an agent to deal with that clause after decades of negotiating his own contracts.. does he? This reasoning also seems too obvious for a typical coach thought process.  These things are about Jim and His security... Harbaugh is more than willing to take the back seatriska nd even sacrifice in order to  elevate those around him. In fact he prefers it.  Are we really going to fall for the “finally getting what he deserves” mindset?!?

Why is Stephen Ross getting involved?  We can pay Jim 150M without Ross.. this is bigger.  Jim as a protector of his “family” and integrity is known to attack the biggest bully in the room, the one that threatens Jim’s sincere ideals of how it ought to be… this is why leaders with limited integrity can’t stand him, why Ryan Day despises him and why Harbaugh ultimately wins. A house built of a flimsy foundation falls.  A house built on integrity stands firm. 

For months Jim has been talking about paying players, he is concerned about people robbing the train that the players are the only ones supplying. They get nothing. Jim has spoke over and over about coaches, universities, media taking a pay cut so players can get their share.  There is zero chance, in my understanding of Jim, that he would allow himself to become the very thing he is attacking. A guaranteed, highest paid, no accountability contract?!?  More likely I’d eat a lemon for pure enjoyment. 

I have to believe “The Love” for Jim involves something more.  Involves providing for the things that matter more. The game of football and the players who give their all.  I believe “The Love” is about utilizing the full influence of M to change the bullshit that is the NCAA.  This is why you need Stephen Ross, why you need an agent, why Santa gets it and why Warde doesn’t.   It’s big, scary, and demands enthusiasm unknown to mankind.  How will “we” respond when the NCAA establishment lashes out to protect itself? 

I could certainly be wrong, probably am since I have no insider information.   Except, I have watched and listened to Jim and I believe him. The man isn’t ever satisfied with status quo, I can’t believe a contract that guarantees everything remain stable for the next 10 years is enough for him. For Jim it’s always what’s next? Onward! How do we get better.

So you read it all?  What do you think?  I’m sure there are those that agree and those that don’t.  I’d love to hear it, neg away if this is too snow-flakey on this winter day.   Maybe it is wishful thinking that the guy who took a pay cut to rescue Michigan football would do whatever it takes  to fix the NCAA as well. But a guy can dream. 

TL;DR - If Harbaugh stays it will be to take on the NCAA head on, get the players paid and “fix” the brokenness that it is.