SEARCHBITS XVII: DOT GIF?
never not funny
IT'S HAPPENING? IS IT HAPPENING? TELL ME IT'S HAPPENING. You go out of pocket for a few hours and you come back and the internet's falling apart. Near as I can tell there were a couple of posts around 8:30 last night on Scout and Rivals, both of the positive variety. Allen Trieu mentioned($) something might happen tomorrow(!). Which is today(!!!). (Side note: GBW has a rumors board that they can report more freely on without guaranteeing total accuracy, so don't get down on 'em if they're off some.)
A few hours later, Jeff Moss and Gregg Henson joined in with highly positive updates. I know, I know, I'm considerably more cautious than those two guys. And in this case there are NFL parties yet to be heard from, things that could change, etc. But they've had things before, so that should affect whatever your Bayesian estimate is to some degree.
The night ended with Steve Lorenz adding his stuff to the GOOD NEWS pile($), with "important Michigan-related figures" incrementing their optimism. He's "cautiously optimistic" now. Oh, and Trieu again($).
The upshot from everyone is a rising tide of optimism.
TODAY?!?! No. Trent Baalke's de rigueur "we evaluate after the season" statement happened late afternoon yesterday. Most targets are still in two weeks. It's highly unlikely we hear anything today. I'm betting we have to endure the full 12 days in limbo here unless it all falls apart.
SOURCES OF SAID TIDE. Moss says that Brandstatter is feeding some of this information to people. Brandstatter says he isn't. I have heard that Jack Harbaugh is a major source for both Rivals and the pile of former players who are increasingly giddy. Jack would know a lot about Jim's intentions, but I am a little worried that Jack wants this to happen so badly that he may be overstating the case.
Then you've got players Harbaugh talks to, guys he might be reaching out to as staff members… there is a lot of chatter.
A RISING TIDE… EXCEPT THIS ONE GUY. Some cold water: got a lengthy note from a source who is second-hand but has had good info during coaching searches past that is basically a re-iteration of the NFL reporter position that Michigan's chances are slim at best. I believe the guy, and believe the NFL reporters to some extent—there is clearly a story out there in which Michigan is the wallflower hoping to get noticed by the prom queen. There was a credible-seeming Cassandra on Rivals offering up a similar story about how this isn't happening and was never happening.
Some of this is from people who swear Harbaugh wants to remain in the NFL. Some of this comes from within the Michigan base. It would look pretty bad for Brandon if Hackett did lock Harbaugh down, and it was mentioned to me that he is hoping it doesn't happen. He could be a negativity vector there. That would be the best case scenario for this undercurrent of NOPE amongst the cresting wave of euphoria for the same reasons Jack Harbaugh might be overly enthusiastic.
It is hard for me to reconcile the piles of internal optimism with the idea Harbaugh is just stringing Michigan along. There would be a way to approach this without giving everyone the impression it's happening dot gif. On the other hand, this is a credible person. There are people close to Harbaugh who think it's not happening dot gif.
Many someones are about to be very wrong.
ON THE TRAIL. As a counterpoint to that, heard that a Michigan assistant has been pinging kids in his area asking them to hold off on commitments until Harbaugh is in place two weeks from now. A couple of the staffers are hoping to stick… well, most of them probably are, but a couple in particular have higher hopes than others. They're pitching the big kahuna.
nyet
EXIT LES. Les Miles had a weird intro to his press conference yesterday, talking to reporters off the record about his interest in the Michigan job: he has none. Cameras off, direct quotes prohibited, gist communicated: weird.
Why he wouldn't just issue the standard press-conference denial is unknown. The explanation that comes to mind is that he was wary of getting a little emotional now that he knows for-sure-for-sure he'll never coach Michigan. Or he could just be weird. That is always on the table with Les.
If you're so inclined, you could read this as evidence that IT'S HAPPENING, as word trickles out to connected Michigan people and Les's slim hopes have just gone to zero. The other option is that all the people swearing up and down that Miles would come back if given the opportunity are wrong. The agreement there within the Michigan insider community is iron-clad, though.
ON ASSISTANTS? Are we talking about assistants already? Seems way ahead of ourselves, but okay. Ty Wheatley has been rumored to be on his way back ever since it looked like Hoke wasn't going to make it. It's obvious why—Michigan Man.
He has also made his interest in returning known, as long as it's some sort of upgrade on his current role as the Bills' RB coach. While Michigan probably wouldn't want to throw him in the deep end as a coordinator right away, something like OSU's recent setup with Tom Herman and Ed Warriner as co-OCs would work.
Sam Webb recently downplayed speculation by saying their hasn't been any contact; even so that seems like it might happen once a hypothetical staff hypothetically starts being assembled.
Durkin also had a minor role in Office Space
Trieu also dropped($) Florida DC DJ Durkin's name. Durkin was the DE/ST coach at Stanford for Harbaugh's first three years there, then moved on to Florida, where he was an LB coach for a bit before taking over as DC for the last two years. The obvious catch is that he was working under Will Muschamp, who is now making more than a lot of head coaches as Auburn's DC.
Durkin is in demand, being courted by UNC and A&M; as a Youngstown guy who went to BGSU he has a ton of those Ohio recruiting connects. There was some chatter that he'd be retained by McElwain but Thayer Evans reports that UF is going to hire Mississippi State DC Geoff Collins—yes, the you're a baller guy—instead*. Interestingly, Durkin was a GA under Urban Meyer for the two years Meyer was there, then moved on to Notre Dame in the same capacity—no doubt on Meyer's recommendation.
*[Exhibit A as to why Mullen would jump at the chance to move to a school with more resources.]
PLAN B. Heard for a second time that Tom Herman was under serious consideration as a backup plan. With Les out for whatever reason, the non-Harbaugh options get slim fast if Michigan cannot poach a Power 5 college HC in a good spot—always hard to do and harder these days when everyone has buckets of cash.
I'm just sayin', Dan Mullen hasn't signed that extension… because now it's real easy to see Michigan burning through candidates until it's looking at wild-ass swings at up-and-comers like Scott Frost (high on CSU's list) or the Schiano-Addazio-tier Life Is A Grim March To The Grave candidates. Mullen told the local media via text he hasn't heard from Michigan, period, and in this case I believe him. If Collins does jump to Florida he's got to be steamed, though.
I wonder if someone at Michigan will reach out to Herman and tell him not to sign anything just yet—Herman already announced he wouldn't be joining Houston until OSU is out of the playoff. He is looking increasingly like Michigan's best will-obviously-come option. Short term sketch? Yes. Worth it if we don't hire Steve Addazio? Yes.
SERIOUSLY. Bo Pelini. Pitt. Make it happen.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^
I have been F5ing this tab so much the past few weeks I've forgotten to fix and accidently kicked the junk.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
Harbaugh NOT denying his interest in the Michigan job has absolutely no value unless he were truly interested. Aside from it being the most selfish move possible, Michigan being on the board will not drive up his value any more than the dozen or so NFL teams that will allegedly be competing with each other for him. I think anyone saying he has zero interest in the job or that Michigan's chances are close to nothing are speculating at best.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
It would be epic to have the students chanting "Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!" on big defensive stops.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
just FYI. "Wallflowers" do not have 8 million plus dollars attached to them. Michigan is not a wallflower.
Go Blue!
December 16th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Actually, she's got a bit of repution for being rather bitchy. But she just broke up and is in NYC for the weekend, hanging out at a party full of models. Here she's "cute" and hoping her personality shines through the glitz. She doesn't want to have to bring up her trust fund, but she'll go there if she has to...
December 16th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
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December 16th, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
They also announced that Kiffin had won the Broyles award, only to be slapped by the award committee itself. And they said that we would have an AD by now. And the list goes on.
Just because they stated weeks ago that Pelini was a done deal to YSU, and eventually he came around and signed the deal doesn't mean they have any inside knowledge; they just got lucky.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
is a good father, he'll grab Jim by the shirt and tell him that 'you're going to coach goddamn Michigan. I'm an old man and you're going to win them a National Championship before I die".
At least that's what I would do if he was my kid.
Also, the Les thing is an non-story. He would still come. What else is he supposed to say?
December 16th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
A: Say nothing. This one seems pretty easy.
B: Say, "I want the Michigan job" and I'm not afraid to say it. Yeah, it's a huge risk to take, but if he wants it he can put the heat on Michigan.
December 16th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
It seems to me that Miles has always straddled opportunites. That's OK, it is ordinary.
But if he really wanted the UM job why not just say "I love LSU but UM is bleeding and and it is my home. I can't let them bleed to death.If they want me, I am there." Or something more elegant. I can't see how this would be offensive to LSU.
But maybe I am wrong.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
I keep weighing the noise in either direction against the fact that Michigan seems perfectly content to sit and wait. There's been no significant movement by Hackett in any other directions. I suppose it's possible that Harbaugh won't say boo to UM until the season is done but I have to believe that Hackett would know by now to move on.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
What the hell?
Who cares if Brandon is negative toward Harbaugh coming ... or any other coach for that matter? He's no longer the AD and I seriously doubt if he has any influence over the process and selection. His negative vibes, if true, carry about as much weight as fans/posters here wanting to see Harbaugh coach at Michigan or people with positive vibes.
Does Harbaugh have an energy meter influencing his career decisions??
Furthermore, I fail to see how JH coming, or not coming, to Michigan NOW is any relection on Brandon's coaching search 4 years ago. Maybe JH did not want to be a college coach then. Maybe, now, he'd prefer not to be an NFL coach. Times and circumstances change.
So, basically, we KNOW no more today than we did yesterday. I guess we'll know when a deal is done and an announcement is made. I doubt whether or not I obsess over the whole matter will make any difference ... unless he really has that meter.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
I have a bad feeling, but it's coming from Les Miles' denial. I always have felt Jim Harbaugh was a long shot. Too many decent openings in the NFL, and who wants to leave on a down note? I now want MIles more than ever. I think he brings an excitement to the program that no one else could, save for JH. He loves Michigan and yet has established his own identity, on his own terms, away from the program. I feel like a spurned girlfriend, and it truly sucks.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
It was a non-denial, denial. Not on the record and not in front of cameras.
I still think he gets the job if JH declines. I hope I'm right. Cause I loves me some Les Miles.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
Tired?
Overworked?
Stressed?
Try Fukitol.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
miles will be the coach if harbaugh dosent come
December 16th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
If Les had made that statement in front of cameras, then maybe. But him telling reporters "off the record" just means it will be easier when Michigan does come to call for him to deny saying it, or that reporters took it wrong, etc. He's doing his best to prevent 2007 from happening again while leaving himself some credibility with his current team.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:08 PM ^
Really though, what is Les supposed to say? That he is in fact going to take the job only if Harbaugh turns it down? What would his current team and AD think if he would say that?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
Brian already knows that Harbaugh is coming, due to his top secret, back-channel , deep throat leaker. But, since he is sworn to secrecy and also would like to keep us all on tenterhooks or on the edge of your davenports, he will continue to give us potential good news and then dash our hopes with some lukewarm, almost cold water stories. The whole story will come out soon and maybe it will appear on the New Year's edition of the Inquirer with compromising photos.
At least this is what my inside sources told me at the party store this morning.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
That Vic Fangio will stay in the NFL? Would LOVE if Harbaugh brought him along...but I suppose there will be other vacancies he could take (perhaps even as a head coach). Would love if Chip Kelly somehow got him to save that train wreck of a defense.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
He is an NFL guy - other than 1 year with Jim at Stanford his entire career has been NFL. I imagine with what he did at SF he will be very much in demand in NFL circles.
That said, it would be wonderful for him to join Jimbo in AA. But not counting on it.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
It's hilarious how all the people with connections are doubling down on their stance. Like Brian said, some people are going to look very, very wrong after the dust settles (not that there are ever any repercusions for having no humility and shouting like an asshat).
Even more hilarious are the people on this board who are getting so dug in on either side. Why? If you don't know what's actually going to happen, then why take such an entrenched, personal position on this? Just be hopeful that we might get the best coach on the planet as our next coach, since there's plenty of evidence to suggest it's a good possibility. What's the point in insisting that we won't get Harbaugh if you don't actually know that?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
everyone wants to be able to say "I told you so."
December 16th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^
For some of us, sex is essential. The rest are nice-to-haves.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
Yeah, air, water, food, and sleep are all totally overrated.
December 16th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
Mitigating disappointment.
Thinking people are being duped and not wanting to be associated with said dupes but still caring about Michigan football.
(Note: not saying I feel this way, just answering the question about "the point")
December 16th, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
Harbaugh is not coming, you mouthbreather
December 16th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
nfl knows nothing about harbaugh
December 16th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
aren't completely in his hands with regards to the NFL. He's under contract with the Niners through the 2015 season. So while there will be other openings besides the Raiders, the Niners aren't just going to cut Harbaugh loose and let him be a free agent. Any NFL team interested in Harbaugh will technically have to work through the Niners.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
and I think that is what makes the present situation intriguing.
If Harbaugh did not have the Michigan option, the 49ers could hold out with other NFL teams for the best compensation/trade package they could. A coach who is 3 out 4 years in the NFC championship game has to have some value.
But with the Michigan option open, I think the 49ers are both under a time-pressure and also make it to a team/situation to Harbaugh's liking. So the NFL team wanting Harbaugh as well as the 49ers (so they get something) have an incentive to make Harbaugh stay in the NFL.
Regarding the 49ers cuttling Harbaugh loose, I don't think they have any incentive to do that as I think it would cost them a good amount of money, and they know that Harbaugh wants to move on.
Interesting to consider, has all to the crap that has been going on to make Harbaugh as uncomfortable in San Francisco as possible so to preclude the necessity of firing him?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
I mean, I've had the urge for a while. But this is a STRONG urge. What kind of prick is classless enough to try to sabotage his alma mater getting the best candidate to coach the team he (kind of) played for? Answer-a Brandon-level prick.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
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December 16th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
Then take your van out to SF and bring JH home! Time for him to repay the favor (with interest).
December 16th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
I feel like the overall optimism is so much better this time around. I remember last time with Hoke where Brian was always pointing out it was going to be Hoke, no if and or but about it.
This time it seems like the overall optimism for Harbaugh is incredibly strong. Amazingly so.
Its nice to have. Even if it's not Harbaugh seems like MGOBLOG is overly optimistic.
It's refreshing.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
the waverers and doubters prior to the Liberation of Khitomer. Even those of us who implicitly trusted the Praetor found ourselves quaffing that pale blue ale. But it all turned out well and, as I recall, some great misdirection helped to make it so.
December 16th, 2014 at 8:35 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
From someone on the inside...things at Schembechler Hall are a little to happy go lucky for things to be going in the wrong direction #1. During the last two searches things were a little "crazy". Just like everyone else it isn't confirmed hard corp but this person is super close to the situation to be lying to me. We will probably have to wait two weeks but 8 years 49 million isn't just a rumor I don't believe. Sounds cheap to me but I am sure it has incentives to beat sparty and Ohio and all the other big game pay days! For the first time during this two and a half week process I firmly believe Jim Harbaugh is coming home to coach Big Blue!! AMEN and GO BLUE
December 16th, 2014 at 11:15 PM ^
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