SEARCHBITS XXVI: EVERYBODY INCREMENTS
This seems in poor taste. I mean, the Cowboys? [Dustin Johnston/UMHoops]
TICK TOCK. Sam goes to 70% and says he'd be at 99% if San Francisco's season ended today. Joe Pequeno says it's Harbaugh barring one of them last minute change of heart things. Bacon says 85%, also citing last minute change of heart. Bacon also says that Michigan made a pass at Harbaugh last time, "but a weak one."
Heck, even Adam Schefter continued inching towards "it's happening," twice saying that "the pendulum has swung to Michigan" on ESPN's mid-day NFL shows on ESPN2.
WHY? Webb reports that Hackett was "in the Pacific Time Zone($)" yesterday, with the possibility of major movement today. Those Who Stay reported movement on the agent side of things, with Harbaugh/Dunn meeting at which things are just about hammered out but not quite signed. Clearly something happened yesterday to create another wave of IT'S HAPPENING, and that's a plausible reason.
DONE DEAL? I don't think it's quite that, but I think it's just about pen-to-paper time. Reports filtering down from the big baller donors certainly think it is done—we had one on the site yesterday that we had to scrub because the poster made an unwise decision to spill, and the inbox has a couple more. This is very much a situation in which the game of telephone would turn "it's about to be done" into "it's done," though.
WHEN? Still hearing that things won't be official until the 49ers are done. Michigan appears to be assembling a press conference on or around the 30th. That certainly implies they think it's done.
A CATCH? Did get a report that at least some people in the 49ers organization think the pendulum is swinging back to the NFL; hard to square that with everything else I've heard. FWIW; that would be a potential reason the NFL insider types are so dismissive.
WELL, THAT'S ALL OUT IN THE OPEN THEN. 49ers GM Trent Baalke was on the radio yesterday, and when asked about Harbaugh he confirmed that Michigan had reached out to the 49ers directly:
"I don't know that it's been offered to him. I don't know that it's been offered at all," Baalke said on his weekly segment on 95.7 The Game. "I haven't seen a report that the contract has been handed to him and he's mulling it over." …
Fox Sports reported Sunday that Michigan relayed its interest to the 49ers, and he reportedly told them he was undecided on his future.
"I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly," Baalke said. "As I look at it, guys, it's very simple: He's the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers."
So that helps confirm the chatter that Michigan was trying to work out the details with the 49ers because they were so confident they'd locked down Harbaugh their attention was turning to details like extracting him from his contract. Somewhat odd that Baalke says he hasn't "seen a report" that he's been considering a contract when he is capable of walking into Harbaugh's office and asking, but maybe the two guys don't talk much anymore.
MAYBE IT'S ALL IN RUBLES. Sam says he's got an unconfirmed number($) for the assistant pool that is just about about on par with LSU and amongst the tops in the country. I am hearing some rumblings that Sam's weird suggestion (Mattison might stay on as a LB or DL coach with additional title frippery to be determined) is on point, which would explain some of that pool.
HOW NOT TO BACKTRACK. Adam Schefter has been walking his no-way stance back gradually, and that's fine. I think he got some bad information early, but he's reporting what he hears and moving away from Protect The Shield more than most other people in his profession.
On the other hand, you could pretend that you're defending Schefter when you opened your coverage of this coaching search with "Harbaugh turned Michigan down" and tripled-down on that assertion when it became clear it wasn't anywhere near true. If you guessed Scott Roussel was that guy, you get a cookie:
Guys complaining to me on twitter “Scheffer has changed his story on Harbaugh a lot”. Truth is facts change. We just report them
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 23, 2014
"Facts."
HOW TO CORPO-TWITTER. Well done, whoever:
Happy Birthday, Jim. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/kameWJ7F5S
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) December 23, 2014
#BUTTHOLE. Former Jack Harbaugh QB and Jim staff member Willie Taggart on the man:
"A lot of people think he's a butthole," Taggart says, matter-of-factly. "But he's not. Some people want things the easy way, sometimes people want others to bow down and just give in and do things the easy way. It's never like that with Jim.
"He's going to give it to you how he sees it. It's not to demean anyone, but it's how he sees it. He always does what he thinks is right. And, nine times out of 10, he is."
If Taggart doesn't make it at USF (he's gone 2-10 and 4-8 in his first two seasons) I wouldn't be surprised to see him join a hypothetical Michigan staff in the event of an opening.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE. Normally we take a week off around this time of year, but with Michigan's coaching search still ongoing I'll be around more. I'm going to get in a car right now and be in it for most of the rest of the day. I don't plan on posting anything the 24th or 25th unless it is literally happening. If there is enough stuff there may be a searchbits or two on the 26th and/or 27th.
The 28th is when things will start rolling in earnest as the 49ers finish up their season.
ETC.: Narduzzi the favorite at Pitt. John Harbaugh says some boilerplate stuff about his brother. Harbaugh with photoshopped bread? Okay. Wetzel on why getting rid of Harbaugh is a bad idea. Brian Dohn on possible contractual trip-ups.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
if the nintendo still works without copious amounts of spit on the cartridge, that is
bears with jim harbaugh was my favorite team in tecmo bowl II
every pass with harbaugh was a coin toss big play or interception. neal anderson was a beast, though
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
I have that same exact story, except change the year by about a decade and replace Nintendo with Atari 2600.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
Me too. Change the story by about 3 decades and replace Atari 2600 with an erector set.
December 23rd, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:20 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
Guys complaining to me on twitter “Scheffer has changed his story on Harbaugh a lot”. Truth is facts change. We just report themActually, facts don't change. That's what makes them "facts". Now, information can change. Information can change all the time. It's how you choose to report that information that ultimately dictates how people will perceive your competency at your profession as a journalist. You can choose to present your information as "facts", but then when it turns out your information is wrong, you should take your medicine and admit your mistake. Not issue some tepid, whiny tweet about "facts" changing. My degree is in Mechanical Engineering and you should be be embarrassed that I have to explain this shit to you.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:15 PM ^
Reading this made me so happy... I wish I knew why...
Probably that "English Major" part.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
SEARCHBITS
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
indeed.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^
because from an earlier post today, it appeared, and I could be wrong, that you were not in fact entertained...
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
Anyone else wondering what language the dude on the left's sign is written in?
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
Clearly
You.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:36 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^
!0nr9wsb ty0 Jwn0
!gnineppah si tI
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
Why would Jim want to save M almond?
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
At my in-laws, who are not sports fans but are excited for me.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
full of shit then, full of shit now.
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^
Come on 3pm!!!!!
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
How am I suppose to live on one or two Sarchbits the next three days?! How?! I'm addicted! More! More!!
What are the chances that Hackett's contact with the 49ers brass, him in the Pacific Time zone right now, AND reports by "Those Who Stay" about the contract deals coming out all pointt to Hackett working with the 49ers to give them some action and to get them to cooperate in a seamless hand-off of J.H from SanFran to Michigan? This would allow UM to leaglly bind Harbaugh because it will be done in cooperation with the 49ers, and allow UM to remove the chance of other NFL suitors coming in to fuck this deal up at the 11th hour? In return, JH is getting big dollars, big budgets, and big-time control over the program. So J.H's camp is more than happy to work with UM and the 49ers to get this done this week with a post 12/28 announcement for the salke of his current players.?
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^
Harbaugh knows at this point what he is getting from other NFL teams. Yes, they can't directly contact him but he and his agent know. If he hasn't made a decision, I'm guessing it's more to do with his season not being over yet, not because he has $$$ to mull over. If he wants to come he will at the current offer, regardless of what the NFL offers. I don't think an 11th hour offer will screw this up.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
I may actually have to do some work now.
It's become a very close race as to whether Harbaugh will be hired before I get fired.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:51 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
My father, who played for Bump Elliott in the late 60's, just texted me,
"I'm told by someone with excellent sources that Jim Harbaugh will be our next coach when the 49er season ends."
His source, "A friend in the athletic dept"
My dad does not gossip, and I believe what he says, so I am truly freakin' out, now! All I want for Christmas is for Jim to come home!
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
Tipping point, right there.
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
Yeah, anonymous poster citing his anonymous father, who is an ex-Michigan player (unconfirmed), who is citing an anonymous source within the Athletic Department says Jim Harbaugh is happening.
Close down the Searchbits, we're done here.....
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^
Why would I be bullshitting? And how is this any different than any other unconfirmed reports that are posted on here 24/7? In these crazy times of he-said, she-said (mostly he), why ya gotta be such a negative Nancy? And yes, it is confirmed that my dad played (confirmed), as is the fact you are an unhappy little man.
December 23rd, 2014 at 4:19 PM ^
it wouldn't be mgoblog without the snarky response to a friendly post!
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:09 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:56 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 4:34 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
sSearches and Bits, Searches and Bits, I can't wait to get me some Searches and Bits!!!
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
Over Under on the number of Christmas puppies named Harbaugh?
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^
Just won a bottle of Pappy 15 yo in a raffle. Saving it for something special, Any ideas??????????
December 23rd, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
.. beyond excellence on the field, is JH putting Dantonio in his place. JH is a force of nature, and I suspect won't be caught dead apologizing for anything related to our rivalry with MSU. M's weak reaction to the whole stake in the ground thing was my least favorite moment in this season filled with crappy moments.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 23rd, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^
Normally he's posting info every day but he's been silent on his site and Twitter. Usually he's good for throwing out at least a retweet on the situation.
December 23rd, 2014 at 3:06 PM ^
https://twitter.com/Balas_Wolverine/status/547480751395336192
Chris Balas @Balas_Wolverine
As expected, conference call to give the kids an update. Things are progressing - candidates are approaching end of their "swim lanes."
December 23rd, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^
Taco's tweet following the meeting:
MY MOOD : pic.twitter.com/HBaUuS4h82
— Taco Charlton (@TheSupremeTaco) December 23, 2014
December 23rd, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
What does this mean? Guy is holding a championship trophy, so that's good, right? But he is also looking so sad, so that's bad? SHOULD I BE EXCITED OR STRESSED???? Damn you Taco.
Comments