Harbaugh's Contract Language
It's been reported that Harbaugh's contract contained a "no-compete clause" for year five. Evidently, coach thought this meant that the team should not be competitive during the 2019 season. After being assured that this is not what it meant, Harbaugh said that things would change dramatically starting with this week's game against Rutger. Woo hoo! The season is saved.
On a slightly more serious note, Mr. Anderson on The Ticket 97.1 this morning said that he had heard somewhere that Harbaugh was disappointed that some of the players chose not to participate in the bowl game last season. The thought is that this may be a contributing factor in his seeming lack of fire this season.
In light of conjecture that part of the reason Beilein left the basketball program for the NBA is the number of early entries he'd seen (and the resulting lack of continuity and challenge in maintaining a full roster), is there any thought that Harbaugh may be back in the NFL in 2020?
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:36 PM ^
I mean a lot of guys are failing upwards lately. See Kliff Kingsbury ... lol
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:38 PM ^
Harbaugh was very diplomatic about guys skipping bowl games last Winter but I'm sure inside it hurt him and probably a lot of the team as well.
I'd be curious what his buyout looks like after year 5, because he sure looks and feels like a guy just putting in the year.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:41 PM ^
Something like $15 million I think.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:44 PM ^
Yep!
It's a steep price to pay. For the record, if Michigan fires Jim Harbaugh at the end of the 2019 season, he is owed a buyout of $15 million. That number decreases to $10 million if he is fired after the 2020 season. Looking at Harbaugh's contract, it appears buyout is remaining salary.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:56 PM ^
$15 million would seem like a pretty strong deterrent to the NFL. $10 mil is more likely if someone really wants him.
I can't see any alumni willing to pay 15 million to get Harbaugh out cause there just isn't anyone out there thats a better or more obvious fit imo.
September 24th, 2019 at 9:22 AM ^
I think I read that the date that $15M changes to $10M is something like January 10 or Jan 20.
Is that kind of late in the coaching carousel? In other words if they wait until $10M day to let him go, would they be short on candidates?
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:44 PM ^
Maybe they didn't play b/c they saw the team eroding from whichever direction and decided to do what's best for themselves and themselves only. I can't argue with them really. But yes I'm sure it hurt a really competitive guy. I'm pretty competitive and I know it would bother me. That said, problems started well before that.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
He clearly doesn't like when players skip bowl games. So what? This seems like a very small reason to lose your fire for a sport you love, coaching at the school you love.
They won't skip the games if we ever made the playoffs. Otherwise, bowl games are pretty unimportant.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:53 PM ^
First sentence made me laugh. +1
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:58 PM ^
As long as we're all on board with reckless speculation I've got one to offer.
What if Coach Beilein's departure, due in no small part to the frustrations of trying to run a clean program in the face of rampant cheating by the schools he's competing with, resonated with Harbaugh. What if he too had a "come to Jesus" moment after hearing about Coach B leaving and thought "you know what - fuck this. I'm working my ass off only to get blocked at every turn by the NCAA acting as a proxy to support the golden calf of the SEC."
They say people mentally quit a job months and sometimes years before they actually make the decision and end up leaving.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:18 PM ^
imo, that is not a reckless take.
September 23rd, 2019 at 5:01 PM ^
Ok, so that argument is predicated upon the fact that there's a massive discrepancy between the recruiting classes. Sure, Bama is gonna Bama but we've been top 10-15 each year? You think he's that peeved about that difference? I suppose it's possible that's a factor but I can't buy into that being the primary reason he's actin like a beaten dog lately.
September 23rd, 2019 at 5:16 PM ^
The difference between the number 1 and number 10 class each year in college football is quite large IMO. I believe that gap continues to grow too, as the top 2 or 3 teams take a larger portion of the elite and the lower teams take a larger portion of the good.
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:30 PM ^
Well, recruiting class discrepancy again and again and again. And the NCAA has effectively said, "It's okay as long as you don't get caught. We don't want to know."
I had also read somewhere that Georgia, no longer a cleanish program, was upset over Harbaugh/Michigan trying to invade their recruiting footprint and had OUR footprint in their sights (just hearsay, not very credible but illustrates how frustrating it must be to fight with one hand tied behind your back and chronically losing to programs who know how to cheat and get away with it).
A coach who knows how to cheat, sadly, is as essential as a coach who knows contemporary offense/defense and has connections across the football world, if one expects to compete for a NC.
That's just the way it is in 2019, and the NCAA has been crystal clear about it.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:00 PM ^
Skipping bowl games is such a non-issue that it hurts. OSU HAD A SECOND OVERALL PICK SIT OUT AN ENTIRE SEASON. How did it affect them? 13-1 season with a big ten title and a rose bowl. Can we please move on from the idea that this is indicative of our program??
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
I agree that if his lack of fire is because he is bummed that some players skipped a bowl game then he is extremely weak. I also find it highly unlikely that is why he is they way he is now.
One small issue upon a growing number of annoyances and he isn't feeling it I could see. No way is it the main reason.
Also, Bosa was injured (legitimately) and the absolute earliest he could have been back was mid December. I don't consider that sitting out.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
Beilein went to the league because he was sick of recruiting and fighting dirty programs, and also because he's almost 70 with a bad heart and wanted to coach in the NBA before he retires.
Harbaugh has been "less fiery" since 2016 when he got a penalty in The Game - the closest his program has been to a title. He's had another child in that time, is raising another young son, he has a few health issues - there's many reasons we've seen a calmer Jim over the last couple years. It doesn't come from guys sitting out the bowl game.
Jim is not one to "just put in the time". Jim is also not getting fired unless the program is in unmitigated disaster mode. He might leave for the NFL again if he truly believes that he can't be his best in college or be Michigan's best. I doubt that becomes reality, so adjust your expectations. Jim isn't getting canned unless the program regresses to year one of Rich Rod levels.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:14 PM ^
Hey I prefaced my hot take with "this is reckless speculation".
I havent seen you take on the game on Saturday Doctor. What do you attribute that performance to? Remember - we both thought they would win. Shit - I even bet on Michigan +3.5 points to do so.
September 23rd, 2019 at 5:36 PM ^
I posted my thoughts in that dumb thread with the Rich Rod title right after the game but...
The team quit mostly after the Mason fumble and then fully after the overturned Bell catch. That’s not a technical observation, but it’s scarier than anything strategy or assignment based in my opinion.
On defense, run fits were awful and we were out of position all day.
We should have stopped their first drive on 3rd down, they pick up the first and then they go down the field. We should have answered and then we fumble. We stopped them and then pick up the first down, but that’s gets overturned, we punt, and they score on the next play.
There were technical and execution issues galore, but I think the main takeaway is that we kept folding after things didn’t go our way. By the time Taylor left the game we were pretty much resigned to defeat. That scares me.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^
I agree with you completely, Mantis. In the last 3 losses, we've seen a team that appeared to give up at the first sign of adversity. I know all negative takes have been discussed ad nauseum, but seeing my team quit gives me the worst feeling as a fan. It certainly doesn't give me the warm fuzzies I so desperately crave. But, who am I kidding... I'll still be up at 1 AM this Sunday morning (watching CFB in Japan is a labor of love) to watch the game.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:18 PM ^
Harbaugh is paid what 7 millions bucks? That’s enough for him to have some fire, poor guy, if a few kids decided to not play in the exhibition bowl game and save themselves to make their own living and it bothers Jim which contributes to his lack of “fire” he should resign immediately.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:24 PM ^
Point 1: Mr. Anderson is a Sparty alum.
Point 2: This is not a surprise.
Don't pay attention to 97.1 this week. They're going to light up Harbaugh all week long.
September 23rd, 2019 at 6:37 PM ^
Don't pay attention to 97.1 in general.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
Ross and the AD would work something out financially if Jim wants the Dolphins gig.
I'd say it's 50-50 he leaves.
September 23rd, 2019 at 5:53 PM ^
I believe the best course of action is to let the next 2-3 years play out. It gives Harbaugh time to makeover his roster to better fit the spread offense Gattis has installed. It's obvious he does not have the right personnel currently. It should be enough time to determine whether Ryan Day is the true heir to the OSU throne. Right now, that is still Meyer's program. But 2-3 years from now it will be Day's program. Right now, there is no one clamoring to take the Michigan job given its current roster, recruiting limitations, and a annual game against a program that recruits at a top 3-5 level. Also, despite having a less talented roster you must win that game at least 50% of the time (if not more) to make the fans/alumni happy. If you can't beat OSU, then you aren't going to the playoff, which is the primary goal of the fanbase. Given those expectations, there is no one signing up for that. But in 2-3 years, if OSU falls off, the Michigan job becomes more attractive. If OSU does not fall off, well hey you're in the same position as you are now.
September 24th, 2019 at 6:59 PM ^
My god is this a dumb and pointless post.