On Harbaugh, Brandon, And Other Such Things
ALL RIGHT, PEOPLE. We are probably embarking on a coaching search in the near future and also probably embarking on an AD search in the near future. When these things happen I get buckets of insider information from provenances both dubious and legit, and at some point they cross the threshold where I think they're useful to relate.
When I do this I want things to be supported by multiple people, or people I've heard from before and were accurate. I've learned over the years that when you get in these situations a lot of people stridently believe things that turn out to be wrong, so keep that in mind; I strive to be precise with my language to give people the right impression of how strongly these opinions are held.
So…
![Jim%20Harbaugh%20&%20Pete%20Carroll[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/f692880f2d54_14EE1/Jim20Harbaugh2020Pete20Carroll1.jpg "Jim%20Harbaugh%20&%20Pete%20Carroll[1]")
ON JIM HARBAUGH. There are plenty of media reports suggesting that Harbaugh won't be with the 49ers next year; I've heard similar things. I've also heard that people within the 49ers organization think that maybe Harbaugh isn't an NFL guy, long term, and that Harbaugh is also coming to this realization as the guys in his locker room start getting more and more ornery. Michigan is not a far-fetched destination according to them.
ON DAVE BRANDON. I mentioned this on twitter and should clarify. There is the Big Ballers Meeting and then a Meeting With A Lot Of Big Ballers And Some Smaller Ballers And Some People Who Do Nice Stuff For The University. I got a report from the latter, in which Schlissel sat down for a Q&A session that was moderated by Stephen Ross. Nothing said was definitive, but almost all of the side chatter centered on how Brandon wasn't going to make it and Ross didn't seem like he was going to throw a hissy fit if a change was made. Even in this context away from the madding crowd the first issue addressed was the AD; Schlissel reiterated his point about a culture change; there seemed to be big baller chatter about who might be next.
Now: these people are not universally omniscient. There was chatter that things might go down last Tuesday. Obviously they did not. Don't take that as gospel.
ON THE COMBINATION OF HARBAUGH AND BRANDON. Never say never but I've heard from guys who know Harbaugh who say that Jim working for Dave is highly unlikely to happen. I do not have signed affidavits, but… yeah. As chatter goes this drumbeat is intense.
ON HOKE SURVIVING. This is likely to become moot this weekend, but serious people are asserting that he's not dead yet and could get by with a 7-5 record that includes a win over MSU or OSU, or even that 6-6 might be enough.
I don't think this is the case, as the powers that be know that season tickets are on a knife edge now and bringing Hoke back could see significant drops. It's impossible to know anything about Hoke's status given the uncertainty about the top of the department; the information being discussed is going to point strongly to a change no matter who is in charge.
![jeff-long-at-bobby-petrino-news-conference[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/f692880f2d54_14EE1/jeff-long-at-bobby-petrino-news-conference1.jpg "jeff-long-at-bobby-petrino-news-conference[1]")
ON AD CANDIDATES. Amongst the obvious Michigan Man candidates I would peg the pecking order as
- Jeff Long (Arkansas)
- Brad Bates (BC)
- Warde Manuel (UConn)
- Joe Parker (Texas Tech's associate AD)
There's a bigger gap between 2 and 3 than between 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. Michigan may go off the board, of course, but Long in particular seems to have the respect of the AD community—he's the CoFoPoff chair—and made a stunning hire of Bret Bielema after the Petrino situation blew up in his face.
Also worth noting that he handled the PR of that disaster as well as can be expected. Bates and Manuel have not had to face similar crises yet.
ON JABRILL PEPPERS. This is not certain otherwise Michigan would have announced it but I've gotten several seemingly independent sources asserting that Peppers isn't going to play again this year. Michigan just threw him on top of the depth chart at nickel and punt return, so I don't know… I just wouldn't be surprised if he didn't play this weekend.
ON LLOYD CARR. Lloyd Carr is a civilian. He is neither involved nor wants to be involved in the day-to-day of the athletic department, and if you have a conspiracy theory involving him it is ridiculous and you should just drop it.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:07 PM ^
Yeah, I mean, people can go ahead and downvote me all they want. The fact is, it's incredibly unlikely to happen, John or Jim. It would be smashing, but, uh...they ain't comin'. Not to mention we're still in the "probably" about to go through a coaching search and "probably" about to go through an AD search phase. So, I'll sacrifice the points and goodwill from the delirious and just be correct at the end of the day. Seen this movie before. #WontBeHerbstreitedAgain #AmFullyAwareTheHashtagsDontWork
October 21st, 2014 at 3:41 PM ^
Go ask her out.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^
with Peppers & whether he is playing or not? What difference does it make?
October 21st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 21st, 2014 at 12:33 PM ^
they have akready negotiated with DB that he would keep silent until the end of the season, fire Hoke, and then allow a smooth transition to the new AD (who will be locked in before the end of the season). So Long (or whomever) will actually be in charge of the HIRING and not FIRING.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
I WANT to believe this, but color me dubious that Bradon's ego would cooperate enough for everything to work.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
There is one thing bigger than Brandon's ego. It's his love for money. For playing his part, Brandon probably gets his full buyout.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
very unchacteristically so. That's a strong indication that something is in the works.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
But it could also be that the new POTUM reminded Mr. Brandon that he should not be making himself the epicenter of all that is Michigan, athletics or otherwise.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
This sounds ideal..not sure if its fantasy, but ideal
October 21st, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
If you're the real Desmond Howard, then I'll believe it. Else, it's hard to fathom DB going along with that. It would be great if true, but still it's hard to believe.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
that sounds too juicy to be completely true
October 21st, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^
that hover boards existed. Yet here I am, 25 years later, and still no hover board!
October 21st, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
1st- I'd 100% back and gleefully accept a Long/Harbaugh tandem hiring for Beloved UM.
BUT- no chance the NFL allows someone that successful to leave it's ranks- and we already know Miami will offer him their HC position instantly.
Even baring that from occuring, we know how difficult NFL HC's positions are to fill and how often they hire re-threads that never had any real success 1st,2nd, 3rd time coaching in NFL- how do you imagine someone as successful as John wouldn't be hounded by NFL teams endlessly?
Heck they froth at the mouth of Gruden and it's debatable if he really ever had any success on his own (inherited teams already stacked).
Maybe i'm too afraid to embrace the greatness of getting our 1st pick as HC, but I cannot see any scenario where we get JH without NFL teams stopping it or pulling him away 3-4 years into his HC time at UM.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
One consideration with either Harbaugh is that whoever the AD is has an advantage over NFL teams in that he isn't restricted by tampering rules. Conceivably, Michigan can start talking to them any time they want, while an NFL team can't do anything until SF's season is over. If UM can make a big enough impression, and Jim/John is interested, then it might be hard to turn that down without knowing where their next NFL destination is. Do they really want to go to the Raiders?
October 21st, 2014 at 1:46 PM ^
Yes Ross will hire Harbaugh and will make his greatest of all contributions back to Michigan, returning the treasured coach back to its rightful owner.
It shall be done.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^
I doubt his contract will allow him to go to another NFL team next season. Would he leave Michigan to go back to the NFL? Possibly, but not right away. His new contract would certainly include a large buyout. It's not reason enough to make him an unattractive candidate.
I don't think we'll ever see a bidding war between Michigan and Stephen Ross. Neither side would be happy with that.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
I'm not too overly concerned who the new AD will be as long as they pull in the best possible HC and they know that's what they have to do. They have to get it right this time.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
that students, alumni, and fans are stakeholders too, and TRADITION is important - even to students.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
Tradition is 100% important. I just do not want them pick the next HC based soley on this aspect and simply because he loves the school. If they have a chance to land a "homerun" guy, I'd like to see them do everything they can to make it happen.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
Are your only sources on Harbaugh peripheral? Are any of them in the 49ers front office?
My source is, and on numerous occasions he's made it plainly clear that Harbaugh isn't leaving. I don't know how much more I can tell you, but I trust his observations considerably more than any of the pundits.
I wish we'd put these Harbaugh rumors to rest. Every time I see any chatter regarding his potential courtship here, it saddens me. It's like me creating a tumblr that provides assurance I'll be dating Adriana Lima by the end of the year.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
Not to doubt your sources, but if Harbaugh WAS leaving, why would he ever tell anyone in the Niners front office? If he is trying to neotiate the best contract exetension he can, he would never indicate that he is already two feet out the door to someplace else. People don't tend to give big contract extensions to guys who don't want to be there.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
I don't know who your source is, but Harbaugh himself reportedly initiated the talks to have him traded to Cleveland in January. I think his time in SF is done after this year.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
Brandon blew a chance of hiring Jim H when he let RR coach the Gator Bowl. We need to clean out DB soon, so a new AD can be in place and get to work on replacing Hoke. Jim will be coaching the 49'ers to at least the end of the season and probably the playoffs. Same for John, Michigan needs a tight plan to get a new AD, get a great new coach and try to save the recruiting class as much as possible. I know it's a small class and we are willing to take a flyer on it for a great coach. We might see a deal where the staff stays and Michigan just replaces Hoke if this drags out.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
i would gladly wait until january and trade most of the 2015 recruiting class for a harbaugh in a second. good coaches can coach-up mediocre talent. we currently have a staff that can barely coach-up anything; nothing resembling their potential anyways.
so yes, i would take a full class of 2015 3* guys to land either harbargh. remember, that class would be surrounded by plenty of 4* and 5* guys from other classes.
October 21st, 2014 at 10:54 PM ^
Jim harbaugh + NSD in February + fickle teenagers = a good 2015 class even with a late January hire date.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^
"Rich Rodriguez replaced by Brady Hoke" is far less appealing to an 18 year-old than "Brady Hoke replaced by one of two NFL Harbaughs".
My guess is that the recruiting class would be affected, but not nearly to the degree you fear.
October 21st, 2014 at 5:59 PM ^
I'm sure he could use some of this to fill out his class.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
...for HC.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^
The #2 would either be moth-balled or given to walk-on punters...
October 21st, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
Doesn't the university need to publicly post the position before a hire can be made? I'd like a ruling from the MGoLawyers in the crowd, but I have to imagine that no public university can just go hire a senior administrator without first posting the position and going through a formal hiring process.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
before the posting goes up.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
Brian-It's pretty well known that Lloyd has no love for Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh applied for for the QB coaching position under Lloyd and you know where that went. Lloyd likes Harbaugh just a hair more than he likes Les Miles. Do you know why he hates Miles? Don't under estimate Lloyd's reach.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 6:01 PM ^
so he's got that going for him.
October 21st, 2014 at 7:01 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^
Jim Harbaugh has the closest thing I can think of to my prefered offense. Mixes spread and pro-style elements, and utilizes a beavy of blocking schemes to make defensive keys exceedingly difficult to make quickly and attack lots of differnt box players with run game variety.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
I was just thinking something along these lines. The program went through offensive scheme changes from Carr to Rodriguez and then to Hoke (Borgess and Nussmeir). As long as the next HC is not too fundamentally different than a Hoke offense (pro vs. spread), we should see a smoother transition then years past.(??) I hope, at least.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:05 PM ^
for whatever else his other foibles, really seems to be able to connect with a team and get his knowledge across. I can't think of a team he didn't improve pretty quickly. He just seems to be one of those coaches.
October 21st, 2014 at 10:58 PM ^
Plus, and I mean this in the most flattering way possible, he can out-douche even Urban Meyer.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
Couple things:
1) Did Jeff Long hire Petrino? If so, that's a good sign that he is able to coax an NFL coach to a college program (without him being fired first).
As an aside- the fact that Long is in the SEC now may mean that he would be open to hiring a GUY from the SEC (like Mullen) instead of someone who thinks Michigan is too moral to hire an SEC coach.
2) Given the diagnosis of Lloyd Carr's grandson, that alone would be enough to indicate that he is not interested in tampering with Michigan's affairs. He has more important things to worry about.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
Your #2 makes no sense to me. Why would that preclude him from making his position felt? It's an awful circumstance, sure, but we all have things we have to deal with in life. The beat goes on.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^
I think his point is that when you have a relative in the hospital, especially a younger relative, all other things get put on the shelf until that situation is resolved. Any interest Lloyd has in meddling with the AD (which doesn't seem like much lately) is probably forgotten for now.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
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