Sam Webb says two of his sources are telling him Harbaugh to Michigan is unlikely

We're going to hear conflicting reports until 1 of 2 things happen:

-Harbaugh comes out himself and says he's not coming

Or

A deal is officially put in place.

Until then, it's going to be more he said, she said.

Heard another rumor about Nick Saban... I could deal with 5-6 years of OL tricky Nicky....

I think it's way too soon for anyone to know anything.  Brady was just fired, what, three days ago?  How would it look if solid reports started coming out that JH (or anyone else) was a done deal?

That would mean Hackett had already negotiated the deal while Brady was still the coach.  Even if Hackett was in contact before Brady was fired, I think he's smart enough to know that if that information got out it wouldn't paint him in the most positive light.

I honestly think it will be about a week before we know anything.  And the longer it takes the more likely it is that we're getting a Harbaugh.  Because if they said no, and Hackett called Les, he'd be on the next plane.  Probably wouldn't even tell his family or pack his office.

I want to downvote your post because the information makes me sad, but that wouldn't be fair to you.  Let's hope Sam is off on this one.

I wonder if these sources are playing it close to the vest. Remember Webb broke the hoKe firing before it was actually announced by Hackett. Maybe his sources are being played. I could also imagine Sam helping deflect attention from Harbaugh intentionally to help keep everything mum until a deal is actually reached. Remember Sam has to build rapport with Hackett considering he may be around a few years. What better way to build positive rapport with the new athletic admin than to play the game with them and deflect attention? Another variable could simply be his sources are NFL guys and like everyone else NFL related they believe, or have been told harbs won't leave NFL for college. Remember SAMs tweet specifically said NFL sources this morning. Well considering all NFL sources have said he won't leave the league for college, it could be telling that Sam just doesn't really know anything for sure, or maybe I'm a crazy asshole who will not accept anything, but Harbaugh. Please quit saying Schianno. I would take Lloyd Carr before Schianno..

and is consistent with Brian's reports (that Harbaugh is interested, but likely to remain in the NFL).

Also, Sam is one of the few people that we know is connected to the program, unlike Henson or the DSR. Here is my theory:

Harbaugh loves Michigan, but is drawn to the NFL, because his brother and Pete Caroll both have rings, while he doesn't. Also, the NFL is an easier job (no recruiting, less travel, no stupid speaking engagements...) that pays (slightly) more and allows Harbaugh to be with his family more.

I also think (this is not confirmed) that NFL coaches think of college coaches are the guys who couldn't hack it in the "big league". This is historically true, and combined with all the other facts shows that Harbaugh is unlikely to come home.

Sam seems to caught up in the "top dog of the week", and magic of Christmas. Please help him hit his goal so his focus on football.

he was continuing to follow in the footsteps of Bill Walsh and remaining in the Bay Area where his wife reportedly likes it. But now that things have gone sour, it is disappointing to think about Jim taking just any other NFL job over coming home to Michigan. The Raiders are a mess, and while going there would keep him in the Bay Area he'd be roaming the sidelines of O.Co Coliseum rather than the Big House. The Bears might be a better fit culturally and seem more "Harbaugh-like" in terms of his aura and background, but the current fit to the players and coaching situation seems a stretch. And the Jets, Giants, Falcons ... talk about moving away from the West Coast to an environment where he has no roots. I'm sure any of those fan bases would take him, but still...

Winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers would have been an even better story for Jim than winning a Rose Bowl at Michigan. But I think anyone wearing maize-colored glasses or not recognizes that if the 49er Dream Job doesn't work out, the next best place for Jim Harbaugh to secure his place in the annals of coaching legends is Michigan. 

If some former teammates of Jim's have been talking to him and they're getting negative vibes, it could just be that he'd rather give off negative vibes than positive at this point. After all, he's still coaching a team and there haven't been any negotiations yet. However, if Jim is using his teammates with relationships to Sam Webb as a "reverse back channel" way of letting the fan base down easy, then that's another matter. If it's the latter, I would think Sam would word it that way: "I am the chosen one, to bring this news down from on high. Prepare to be disappointed, people!" I agree with Brian's thoughts in his Searchbits posts that it would be smart of Harbaugh to indicate virtually nothing one way or another until things play out a bit further. 

"Expect nothing, blame no one, do something."

Forget the rumors, speculation, and hype. If Jim becomes M's next HC, fine. If he doesn't, forget him and move on. EOS.

This is why I get a little concerned when people on the Internet keep parading around "Harbaugh or bust!" like it's gospel.

The denial is strong in this thread. The chance of getting harbaugh has never crossed 50%, he would obviously rather be in the nfl which is why only Michigan has a shot. Sam Webb May or may not have good connections but either way people should assume it's not happening and address the search like he already said no, it will be much more emotionally healthy.

If it makes anyone feel better, this is what Chris Balas said about this over on the Rivals board:

"There are very few "sources that talk to Jim." The ones who know believe it's a very realistic option, but even they don't know. 

50-50, if Michigan does it right - which I think they are. "

My question is this. If he didn't want to come back to college why did he dodge the question yesterday in his press conference? Why not just squash it and say he has no interest? Not buying this.

Ira pipes in to the last conversation about paying Harbaugh with magic of Christmas. Bah humbug. Fire Ira. More Harbaugh talk, less Christmas.

Just kidding. I already donated. I would donate more to hear what I want to hear.

Someone close to JH allegedly told Sam Webb that he "doesn't think" Harbaugh would switch from the NFL to college.

This isn't news. This is speculation. Or informed speculation, if you will. But it's still just speculation. Harbaugh-to-Michigan remains one plausible outcome among several, the rest of which center on NFL teams.

 

I think we all appreciate his insight into UM recruiting. That, however, is based on creating relationships with the recruits themselves. When I think back to his inside scoops or "gut feelings" I believe they are based on what recruits have told him not what coaches/administrators think.

I have to question his status as an insider to the "program" though. With whom, exactly, does he have the inside relationships with? The Head Coach who is no longer at the school? The assistant coaches who are out there right now looking for their next jobs and would know nothing that is non-public? The former AD who is selling pizzas somewhere? The current AD, with whom any one of us likely has as good a relationship with as Sam does?

So at what level of the "program" does Sam have these great contacts that give him insight into the head coach hiring process?

On the other side of the fence, there are so many conflicting stories about what JH is thinking from "those close to him" that those anonymous sources should be discounted entirely. People have a tendency to inflate their own importance...someone may think they are a trusted JH confidant and may tell others that they are, but only JH knows for sure. Sam may trust someone who looks like they would be in a position to know, but as others on the board have pointed out, there are lots of those sources out there.

Reading tea leaves is fun and all when it comes to recruiting and Sam is as good if not better than the rest, but call me skeptical when it comes to insight into an extremely closely held head coach hiring process.

Just one man's opinion.

TJB is a petulant little douche who is not much better than Greg Henson at throwing shit to the wall to see what sticks.  Sam isn't always right, but he is far more connected.

That being said, the problem with all of these reports is they are all second or third hand and we don't know if Harbaugh himself knows what he wants to do.

Then offer him enough money to make him interested.