andrewgr

October 29th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^

The word "rescind" has a common connotation of being permanent, but being permanent is not part of the actual definition.  It would be perfectly normal to say something like, "I'm rescinding my last offer because my home inspector found some issues that are going to need to be fixed.  I'll have my agent get back to you with a new offer within the week."  Or "I'm rescinding my offer because I've been approached with a more favorable opportunity.  If that doesn't work out, I'll get back to you immediately."

If JH cannot sign the contract at this moment in time, and does not have 100% legally-binding assurances that he will be able to sign that exact contract at some point in the future, then I think "rescind" is, while not the best choice of words, still a far cry from warranting an accusation of "dishonest journalism".

Joined: 11/15/2013

MGoPoints: 3059

rpm

October 29th, 2023 at 7:14 PM ^

For those without a subscription….opening sentence says all you need to know…

”The University of Michigan has rescinded a new contract offer for head football coach Jim Harbaugh in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal that has rocked one of the favorites to play for college football’s national championship, according to a person familiar with the matter.”

Joined: 11/23/2009

MGoPoints: 635

FB Dive

October 29th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^

I'd argue the closing paragraph describes the situation better:

"The pause on his raise in recent weeks, parallel to the additional scrutiny in the sign-stealing investigation, is likely only to increase the speculation that Harbaugh may decamp for the professional game before the NCAA makes its ruling."

It's a pause, not an outright rescission. Negotiations were paused after the allegations surfaced. This was already reported last week, it is not a new development. Negotiations will resume when, as expected, Harbaugh is cleared. Frankly, it would be administrative malpractice for Michigan to sign an extension before they verified Harbaugh wasn't implicated. 

And for the "FIRE WARDE" crowd, the $ message boards have strongly hinted the pause came from the Regents, not Warde. Calm down, and stop lapping up the Ohio State hit pieces. By most accounts, the powerbrokers are beginning to rally behind Jim, especially as it evidence builds that (1) he was not involved and that (2) the leaks/investigation trace back to Ohio State

Joined: 08/03/2019

MGoPoints: 14562

1VaBlue1

October 29th, 2023 at 8:23 PM ^

What if we want Warde gone for things other than OSU hit pieces?  You know, things like never supporting Harbaugh for anything.  Telling him he was wrong to complain about the refs in 2016.  Forcing him to apologize to the OSU AD for slamming his program.  For never supporting anything football related when the program has needed top cover.

And don't give me the crap about 'supporting behind the scenes', either.  Sometimes, the big man in the biggest office needs to publicly cover his subordinates.  Warde never has, and never will.

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127755

Michfan777

October 29th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^

Simply put, Warde is a quivering bitch who should never have been hired in the first place, and who's continued continuously underwhelming performance in his job should make every day his last as AD.

He basically cannot re-sign the one guy who basically writes his checks and gives him his job security. And he looks to have (unfortunately) botched multiple coaching hires. Each of these alone should be a hangable offense for his job, but here he remains.

Fuck Warde.

Joined: 10/10/2018

MGoPoints: 24580

FB Dive

October 29th, 2023 at 11:34 PM ^

Oh, to be clear, I'm not a Warde apologist. I have no idea whether "behind the scenes" he does a good job, but at the very least, he is terrible at managing optics. And the Mel Pearson saga was horrifically mismanaged, in my opinion.

All I'm saying is that this WSJ article is sensationalized bullshit and does not provide basis for firing Warde. I also don't think now is the best time to make a change -- I can't see how instability in the Athletics Department helps us retain Harbaugh or fight the NCAA.

Joined: 08/03/2019

MGoPoints: 14562

Z_Wolverista

October 30th, 2023 at 12:29 AM ^

"By most accounts, the powerbrokers are beginning to rally behind Jim, especially as it evidence builds that (1) he was not involved and that (2) the leaks/investigation trace back to Ohio State."

This is the only thing I've read in a minute that gives me a sense of hope and order being restored in the world, so thank you. Calms both my angst and anger.

(Now if only that other world situation would resolve in the right way.)

Joined: 01/19/2014

MGoPoints: 2673

FreddieMercuryHayes

October 29th, 2023 at 7:15 PM ^

Good god.  Just fire Warde.  If Harbaugh doesn’t get a new contract he has failed at the biggest part of his job.  Like every one of these contacts allows UM to fire with cause I’d he gets a show cause.  This will kill all momentum.  Just letting OSU kill the recent success through this.  I hope Ono steps in.  Not really his relm, but this is the difference between OSU and UM and why they’ve had more consistent success recently.  This would never stop a contact extension at OSU.

Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 40902

GLORY

October 29th, 2023 at 7:26 PM ^

Yes I can.  It shows clear confidence and support for Harbaugh while giving the FU to the NCAA and anyone involved to influence our program/this contract extension without actually saying it.  Unless there's evidence to believe somehow Harbaugh was involved, the University, specifically Warde has failed mightily.

Joined: 06/12/2021

MGoPoints: 20492

brad

October 29th, 2023 at 7:51 PM ^

The optics are that our athletic director/department sit back while things go wrong inside the hockey program or the football program is under attack, etc, and the AD refuses to act.

Michigan has a layup opportunity to show support for the football program in public, without even talking about the signs thing, and is refusing to take it.

If this is all Harbaugh's plan and Warde is just following along, so be it.  But the optics say the opposite.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15900

goblu330

October 29th, 2023 at 7:18 PM ^

The fire Manuel stuff is too soon.  He’s not my favorite either but come on.  Don’t let this shit pull you back in, everyone.  We are going to suffer some bad PR this week but it’s not going to amount to anything.  Good week to bite your tongue.

Joined: 01/07/2022

MGoPoints: 32240

goblu330

October 29th, 2023 at 7:28 PM ^

Absolutely not it doesn’t need to be.  First of all, Harbaugh is my favorite coach of all time in anything and sign gate is bullshit.

But he has left you hanging two years in a row deep into the off-season about coaching vacancies in the NFL.  And now whether we agree with all of it or not, there could be some problems coming down the line soon.

Yes, you stand by your Man, but you don’t talk money right now.  I blame Manuel for not being a more vocal advocate right now, but not for not signing on the dotted line.  That would be an insane move from the University at this moment.

Neg away.

Joined: 01/07/2022

MGoPoints: 32240

BoCanHam15

October 29th, 2023 at 8:45 PM ^

Like one person in here actually said they hate a man that they don't even know!!!  Like I love Michigan but I hate the man in charge.  Some people could actually,"run" for President in here!  Lord I'm glad I'm not that invested enough to hate a man for something and nothing at the same, d&@& time!!!  Most know nothing, some know-it-all!!!

Joined: 07/08/2016

MGoPoints: 16114

DGM06

October 29th, 2023 at 7:47 PM ^

Definitely not too soon, if anything it’s overdue. The list of shortcomings by Warde was pretty long before this, and adding them all up it’s fair to say he hasn’t met the expectations of the position. Warde is 100% replaceable; Harbaugh is arguably irreplaceable. 

Joined: 08/03/2010

MGoPoints: 655