JonathanE

December 9th, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^

Tucker's extension and what Kelly signed at LSU for are almost the same thing. With the timing of the extension, I really feel that LSU offered Tucker or something in legalese close to that and Tucker took that offer back to MSU and asked them to match or he's heading to LSU. 

Joined: 09/03/2017

MGoPoints: 2366

XM - Mt 1822

December 8th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^

He’s not leaving unless he retires, has some unfortunate medical issue, or is forced out. Bottom line, he ain’t leaving. He loves being home with his family, he loves Ann Arbor, and he loves the University of Michigan.  I’m guessing the money at this point is almost inconsequential. It looks even more so in light of the fact that he’s going to give at least 1,000,000 1/2 to hold to the athletic department and more if he keeps going in the playoffs.

Joined: 12/21/2011

MGoPoints: 103062

Mr Miggle

December 8th, 2021 at 4:51 PM ^

Offer Jim a hefty raise in his budget for staff instead.

1. He'll appreciate it.

2. He can do a better job when he can add staffers, plus hire and retain the assistants he wants.

3. It may actually help the program.

Paying Mel Tucker $4M more per year (and for more years) than anyone else would offer helps Mel Tucker a lot more than it helps MSU. Paying Harbaugh that high salary in the past didn't help win games. Nor did it stop rumors about him leaving for the NFL, or getting fired after those NFL rumors went on hiatus.

 

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47648

UM85

December 8th, 2021 at 6:44 PM ^

"Paying Mel Tucker $4M more per year (and for more years) than anyone else would offer helps Mel Tucker a lot more than it helps MSU. Paying Harbaugh that high salary in the past didn't help win games. Nor did it stop rumors about him leaving for the NFL, or getting fired after those NFL rumors went on hiatus."

While it certainly didn't help him win games, it is certainly relevant that during the term of his first contract JH 1) did not leave for the NFL and 2) did not get fired.  The argument can certainly be made that the contract influenced these outcomes.  

Also, it is not just Mel Tucker getting big bucks.  See James Franklin, Lincoln Reilly and Brian Kelly as well.  It would be a dangerous game not to re-sign Harbaugh to a new contract with a substantial raise and a long-term commitment on M's part.

Joined: 10/24/2017

MGoPoints: 10302

mGrowOld

December 8th, 2021 at 2:56 PM ^

He's good again so Of COURSE everybody's going to want him. 

Something we've never really discussed here (or at least I dont remember seeing it discussed anyways) is how Jim mentally took the paycut Warde gave him last year for the extension.  And does he feel the same way about it now that he did then given the money that is being handed by the bucketfull to half-weights like Mel Tucker.

He might've been grateful last year to not get canned.  Does he still feel that way of is a part of him a bit chafed at having to work for 50% of his prior salary - especially in light of everything he's accomplished this year (so far)?

I honestly dont know the answer to that question.  

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212943

SirJack II

December 8th, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^

We really are lucky to have someone like Harbaugh as our coach. I can't think of any other coach who would accept such a pay cut with such grace, to say nothing of the possibility that it was his idea, to say nothing of his donating his bonus money back to university employees. Everyone pays lip service to the high ideals of putting the interests of the university and the team ahead of yourself. Harbaugh actually does it.

This is why having a coach who went to and loves the university is an enormous benefit. So many people here think that doesn't matter. But if he weren't an alum, he'd just move along to the highest bidder as other coaches do.

I hope everyone remembers Harbaugh's character and loyalty the next time they feel like calling for a new coach, which will probably happen whenever we next lose. 

Joined: 11/15/2011

MGoPoints: 3066

Navy Wolverine

December 8th, 2021 at 4:54 PM ^

What also has impressed me that Coach Harbaugh always gives credit to his players and assistants and doesn't take it for himself like so many big ego coaches do. How many times have we seen him even shy away from the on-field post game interview saying, "You should talk to this guy!" while passing off the sideline reported to one his star players.

Leaders eat last!

Joined: 09/26/2016

MGoPoints: 19370

calgoblue81

December 8th, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^

Also keep in mind that his brother John was instrumental in bringing Mike McDonald to Michigan and listed as reasons his love for his brother and Michigan.  Much like Aidan, JH wants to leave a great legacy at Michigan and he is well on his way.  He was the right hire for Michigan and I have never wavered from that view.  Just as he said at his news conference after the beat down of Ohio State, it feels like a beginning….

Joined: 12/28/2014

MGoPoints: 354

gbdub

December 8th, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^

I'm guessing it was "forced" in at least the specific sense that Warde was not going to extend him on terms anything like his previous contract. Jim didn't want to leave, Warde didn't want to fire him, neither one wanted him on a lame duck contract, but it wasn't justifiable to extend him at the same kind of guaranteed money.

"Good money, but only if you win" seems like a brilliant compromise. 

Joined: 02/16/2010

MGoPoints: 26761

mGrowOld

December 8th, 2021 at 3:13 PM ^

You are probably right and that's a good piece of evidence that he's in a good place mentally with the University right now.  I guess I'm just projecting how I'd be feeling if I was in his shoes and thankfully I'm not.

The other thing to consider is Jim likes to build programs, not necessarily run them for an extended period of time.  Could he feel like he's done what he set out to do here and move on?  Again - I dont know the answer to that but it wouldnt shock me if he at some point moved back to the NFL.  Especially if he felt he had developed his heir apparent in either Gattis or McDonald.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212943

oriental andrew

December 8th, 2021 at 3:31 PM ^

I don't think he is (or thinks he is) close to achieving what he set out to do, which is to build a legacy similar to that of Bo Schembechler (pre-Anderson scandal). Even if "Oakland is in play" at some point in the future, I would see it as a distant future.

He's not Brian Kelly who had no ties to notre dame before taking over as head coach - other than perhaps being Catholic. Who knows, maybe he was a BC fan and hated notre dame growing up. 

Personally, I think he retires at Michigan. He's already 57 (he turns 58 at the end of this month) and I don't think he goes anywhere anytime soon, at least of his own volition. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 56088

HighBeta

December 8th, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^

Based solely on observation from afar and similar instances with other execs? I suspect that Jim is fine (now) with his current comp package and I also suspect that if he likes building programs, he will stay in AA as our coach for a very long time: the player turnover (2/3/4 years and out), the assistants and coaches turnover, it's always a rebuilding effort. 

The optics of his deal are what concern me. It's not a good look (yeah, "optics") to have your homeboy coach - the one who went from goat to hero, from 2% to #2, be so severely underpaid relative to his coaching peers (Tucker et al).

Warde must understand that it's not a good look too - and the look is made all the "worse" when your coach gifts his incentive $$$ to his previously impacted staff. As others have said? It's going to be an interesting topic of discussion between those two come mid-January. Warde is no fool.

I'm hoping our homeboy stays home in AA for a very long time ...

 

Joined: 10/20/2019

MGoPoints: 15644

LeCheezus

December 8th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^

Well, he gave back his bonuses to the department so I’m going to assume he’s not hurting for it.

He’ll probably get a raise and everything redone contractually after the year is over if he wants it.  It’s all fake money anyways when you go get it from big donors like MSU, doesn’t impact the budget and someone else will pay the buyout if things go south, why not grossly overpay everyone.

Joined: 06/11/2017

MGoPoints: 9852

Blue In NC

December 8th, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^

If he was really pissed about being underpaid, it doesn't seem like he would be literally donating millions of dollars of his compensation back to the university.  At the time it could have hurt his feelings a bit from an ego standpoint but it really does not seem like that hindered his performance.  He also seems like a guy that is perfect for an incentive based contract because he is so competitive.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8576

oriental andrew

December 8th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^

The other thing to remember is that people estimate his net worth at anywhere from $20 to $35 million. He absolutely doesn't need any of this money, especially with a guaranteed comp of over $4 million annually. If anything, a bigger contract would be driven by "the market" for top tier coaches' compensation packages than anything else. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 56088

matty blue

December 8th, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^

it's an interesting question.

in general terms, i'd never underestimate the power of the "nobody believes in us" mentality.  it's a cliche because there's at least some element of truth to it.  it works.  and there's no reason to think it doesn't motivate coaches, too.

now, having said that - it doesn't necessarily work for everyone, and harbaugh is, by all accounts, a really competitive, hardworking guy.  i don't know that he needs outside motivations.

great question.

Joined: 08/01/2008

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