The way to approach this
Jim Harbaugh is the coaching equivalent of a basketball player going through the NBA pre-draft process to see what his grade is. If he gets the equivalent of a first-round projection (a job offer), he'll leave. If not, he'll stay.
Fans should not take any of this personally. That he is expected to accept an offer (if one comes) does not mean that he doesn't love Michigan, or is mad at the fanbase, or insulted by his contract offer, or thinks Michigan isn't serious about NIL, or anything like that. Fans who say these things are projecting. People (seemingly) close to the situation say none of that is the case.
What seems to be the case is simply that, after seven years here, he's gotten the itch to do something else and, quite possibly, just thinks that coaching at the highest level of football may be better than coaching at the second highest level - whether for competitive reasons, or strategic reasons (maybe the NFL is better-suited from an X and O standpoint) or lifestyle reasons (there's no recruiting of teenagers in the NFL). If this is true, there is no rational reason to be upset with him. Frankly, I can completely understand why a coach would prefer the pros, and Harbaugh knows that he can win at that level - he has one of the highest winning percentages in NFL history.
And if things fall through with the Vikings? Then he (presumably) comes back to Ann Arbor. People are worried that if this happens, he won't be invested in his job. Why? When has this man ever not given his all? It seems apparent in retrospect that Harbaugh was thinking about the NFL before the 2021 season started, but that didn't stop him from coaching his tail off, winning the Big Ten and making the CFP.
Another concern: "If he comes back, we might be in this situation next year." So? If we are, it just means that we had a really good 2022 season. There are far worse problems to have.
I think he's a great coach and selfishly, I want him to coach my school for years to come, but if he's happier working in the NFL, who am I to begrudge him for that? I'm just glad he ignored other NFL offers in 2014 and came here to turn our program around. If he's leaving, he leaves the program in good shape, much better than we were seven years ago.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:07 PM ^
Would you show up to an interview unprepared?
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:17 PM ^
Would you skip out on your big annual sales meeting where you generate most of your revenue to interview for another job? Did Harbaugh or his staff flip anyone today? No? hmmmm.....
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:30 PM ^
The damage is done. You make great points, but why have a coach that has/will have one foot out the door. UM gave him a long leash imo to get to the top. He didn’t except for one year and jumps at an opportunity. I don’t really have ill will towards him, but he doubled down with everything he’s said about Michigan only to jump ship at the sooner opportunity. Just time to move on with all this silliness
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:06 PM ^
"but why have a coach that has/will have one foot out the door" That's what I thought when Larry Brown, during the Pistons' playoff run, said (when asked by a reporter) that coaching the Knicks would be his "dream job." And then we saw what happened after Brown left.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
I agree with Steve Clark's take on WTKA this morning with Sam. Celebrate Jim for everything he did for us, throw a parade for him, but also clean out his office and hire the next coach (easy only if it's an internal candidate). Jim wants to move on and that's okay, but so should Michigan football to put us in the best position.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:45 PM ^
Agreed. Imagine if Ryan Day did this to Ohio State. We need a little more of Ohio State's ruthlessness when it comes staying competitive. Ryan Day axed his entire defensive staff after a 11-2 season and a Rose Bowl victory because they got run over by the best Michigan team since 97. I love Jim and I'm happy he finally got to snag some shiny accomplishments for a team that was starving for success. But while he focuses on his future, this team needs to focus its future too.
The only motto that matters is "What are you doing to beat Ohio State today?" and right now, Jim's not focused on that and Ohio State is viciously planning our demise next year.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
If he comes back, we might be in this situation next year." So? If we are, it just means that we had a really good 2022 season. There are far worse problems to have.
I'm not sure this is true. We could go .500 and the NFL interest would probably be just as intense. The NFL seems to be interested in Harbaugh regardless, as if they view college football as almost a different sport than the NFL.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:40 PM ^
Thanks for this post - and I like the approach. Put another way, give the man some grace around here because he’s earned it.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Since we're all bringing something unique and new to the conversation.... does howard need to shake up his bench coaches? If he's not the x's and o's guy, and clearly the defensive effort and training is a total failutre... can we go overpay that guy who left years ago who fixed our Defense under beilein?
Its been a few years, but we used to NEVER foul, always get back, and were elite defensively.. under an offensive guru... so wtf. Howard needs new blood ... because if its not them.. its him.
Now, a word from our sponsor.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
This team plays like a young undisciplined team.
Last season we had the same coaches and they played like a veteran lead, disciplined team.
The difference is age and bench play. Hate on Howard and his team all you want, not having Davis and Brown off your bench is a huge loss.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
Same coaches, but beileins senior players. Plus he brought in 2 winning players in chaundee and smith.
Jones debacle aside, there has been no improvement in any player from last year's team.
Johns is worse than ever.
Eli as a role player is great. As your primary option, not.
Dickinson is in foul trouble every game with poor disciplined fouls.
The effort is low across the board on defense. Only small spurts, that often end up with fouls.
The offense struggles - you can force people to shoot well, but they don't adjust/change.
I don't recall the last time a #1 overall recruiting class had this little impact.
Houstan, Diabate, Bufkin, and Frankie have NOT improved in the 2-3 months of play so far. Houstan's show was showing a little life, and list night he was completely shook.. against Nebraska.. AT HOME... wtf?
I'm not hating on Howard, but you have to be honest about the trajectory of this team.. its flat, not improving. And again, as ive said a ton in other posts... its okay to have a bad year, or a growing year.. but how do we use this year to be great next year. I'm not seeing this team that much better next year the way things are moving... In fact, they may be much worse with Johns, Eli, Dickinson, and Jones gone. If Diabate or Houstan go (for some weird reason), this team will be far worse.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
Rational take JM Blue. Also note fwiw he would probably have to tell someone he would take the job or an NFL job to even get an interview at this point in his career. Does not mean with absolute certainty that he would accept once offered.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
Send his ass to the NFL. Michigan has no openings available for him on the football program any longer.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:24 PM ^
"Send his ass to the NFL." Yeah, that'll show him.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:55 PM ^
I am hoping that whoever takes over for Harbaugh ends up winning the NC next year and says, "Thank you Coach Harbaugh for it was you that allowed me to start on third base to win this National Championship."
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
I'm loving this never ending stream of "look at how much more sophisticated I am than all of you emotional jerks." How many more times today do you think we'll all get lectured.
Harbaugh wants to be elsewhere, is setting fire to the progress he made this past year, and has the worlds worst timing all wrapped up in an inability to make a decision.
It's time to cut him loose. He may think he can come back without doing major damage control(if the damage can even be repaired), but that's not the case at all.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
That's the advantage of having a degree from Michigan, no?
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:04 PM ^
I want Dave Aranda. Fuckel would make the Rivalry straight fire ? if he came in and bashed OSU and was the next Bo. Not happening in this universe where we don't get nice things though.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:22 PM ^
Was not familiar with Dave Aranda. Looks like he has a pretty good record with the career trajectory that would make him a good candidate.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
I agree with this commentary completely. There must be a certain motivation to return to pro coaching whether we learn what it is speculating that it impacts his personal feelings about his love for the program and school seem deeply misplaced.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
Here’s the way to approach this.
Don’t take anything too seriously in life.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^
Always look on the bright side of life.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
For me, it's not the leaving; it's the timing of the leaving. I never assumed he'd stay forever. But to leave now.....after seven years of trying to get to the mountaintop, and then getting a glimpse of it, to then say, "Ok, see ya!" is at best odd, and at worst, dickish.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:14 PM ^
What timeline would you consider to be good?
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
You're pretty naive if you think there'll be no negative consequences (especially regarding recruiting) with continuous NFL flirtations.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
Exactly. This sort of instability and chaos is terrible for a program. It hurts recruiting, morale, etc. It seems fairly obvious that the relationship is over and Michigan will have a new coach, regardless of whether Harbaugh gets the Vikings job.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^
Harbaugh is dragging the University and Wolverine Nation through a pile of crap. His relationship with both is damaged whether he leaves or stays. For a man who made it seem that the University and the job meant the world to him, he's not acting like it. He's acting like just another money-hungry, ego-driven, coach-for-hire. Disappointing.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
I know it's not a place for nuance but I understand all that you said and am simultaneously rationally upset with him because of HOW this is playing out. There is a significant risk that he is completely hanging his team and program out to dry by going about it in this way. The timing of this is brutal and can/will have big ramifications on the trajectory of the program from a continuity standpoint, etc. To do this after the season we just had and to have been out there stating "this is just the beginning" is really brutal. If he truly wanted to pursue the NFL there was a way to say I've done my tour here and now I'm on to pursue this next opportunity without holding the entire program hostage, just my $0.02.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:01 PM ^
But now, we can truly say "This is just the beginning". And honestly, we are in a good place for the beginning. Cupboard is full for a change.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
JFC. So much cope.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:59 PM ^
Sarah is going to hate it here.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
But you’re there? Your kavorka will likely lead to her throwing everything away to travel to Siberia and ride horses with you, oh holy Premier!
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:23 PM ^
Honey I'm going to interview for an NFL head coaching position.
Wow, where is it? Jacksonville? Miami?
No, Minnesota.
WTF? are you kidding me right now?
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
Agree 100%. Well said. Love my school and Jim is one of us. I hope he succeeds everywhere he goes - here or anywhere else.
Part of me hopes he leaves just to piss off all the so-called fans who turned on him during the last few years, then wanted him to stay after the great season this year. F-off. Who needs fans like that?
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^
Hate to break it to you, but that is every fan base....not unique to Michigan.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:14 PM ^
Personally at this point. IF I am warde, offer is already off the table and I am looking for my next coach. Lets put it this way. Your Married, your wife tells you I am going to start dating other men to see if something out there is better, if I can't find it maybe Ill be back, but odds are if it is not this year, next year Ill be gone.
No Thanks onto the next one. The relationship is over the minute that occurs. Thank you for your services Jim, but go ahead Bye bye offer is off the table.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
I didn't realize most marriage contracts included buyouts and durations of only a few years.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:57 PM ^
The buy out is half. Money is money can always make more, and Michigan is always going to have funds in my lifetime to get whatever coach they want.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
Your Married, your wife tells you I am going to start dating other men to see if something out there is better, if I can't find it maybe Ill be back, but odds are if it is not this year, next year Ill be gone.
Bro, it's called a trial separation.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^
Let me know how that typically ends. You got 1 foot out the door, let me kick you in your other ass cheek and get your whole ass out. PEACE
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^
Of course you shouldn't take it personally. I'm not. I don't know the man, I don't talk to him, don't work with him. I'm (perhaps unfortunately) emotionally invested in the outcomes of Michigan football which he can affect, and that is basically the full extent of our actual affiliation.
But because of that I solely look at it through the lens of - how does this affect Michigan football's success? I don't really feel one way or another about Harbaugh trying to find another job. It's certainly pretty normal in the larger scheme of things.
However, because I view it solely through the lens of Michigan's success, I'm by no means convinced that him staying at this point would be hugely beneficial. Head coach of a football team is a pretty unique position which is part spokesperson, part CEO, part headmaster. What all those roles have in common is that perception is reality. A large % all your value is derived from how other people perceive you.
It would be naive and completely out of touch with reality to believe there is no negative impact on that when the person holding this job is publicly known to be on their way out if a better opportunity arrives and is only there because no such opportunity presented itself so far.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^
I don't take it personally. But this hurts recruiting and that hurts the program. At some point he isn't worth the hassle from a program standpoint, not a feelings standpoint.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:21 PM ^
cautiously, from behind..... that's how I try approaching most touchy situations I encounter.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^
Just like Urban . . . well maybe not the cautiously part
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
owch.... that was totally uncalled for.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
He’s still a big part of the program and got Michigan to its highest level in quite some time. He achieved at a pretty high level for half his time here and definitely competed hard. I’m disappointed he’s moving on but at the same time we’ve had a lot of good moments and also there’s room for growth. Maybe Gattis is a wunderkid and will take this program to the highest of highs built off of the success that Harbaugh built. Kudos to Coach Harbaugh and good luck on his next endeavor. May we all have much future success.