How To Never Be Wrong Comment Count

Ace



Heads up, Rap.

Last night got a little wild when a bunch of NFL reporters "reported" or "confirmed" Michigan's 6-year, $48 million offer to Jim Harbaugh. This prompted something of an about-face from a group that had poo-pooed the notion an established, successful coach working for The Shield would deign to consider a college job.

That doesn't mean these reporters were wrong, though! Work the narrative hard enough and such a thing is impossible. Here's the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, circa December 7th:

So he's wrong, right? Think again. The situation simply changed drastically once Michigan realized a key factor in contact negotiations is, um, offering a contract:

Jim Hackett was "rebuffed," you see, and just spent the last two weeks begging for spare change and allowing other viable coaching candidates to land elsewhere in the hopes that Harbaugh would completely change his mind. Yeah. That's it.

Rapoport was far from the only NFL guy to make this mistake. CBS Sports's Jason La Canfora, December 7th:

While many are connecting Harbaugh to the opening at Michigan, where he was a star quarterback, sources close to the coach maintain he is not interested. Harbaugh's family has close ties to outgoing Michigan coach Brady Hoke and Harbaugh is much more interested in NFL possibilities.

Yesterday, La Canfora somewhat acknowledged Michigan's offer, only to suggest that the Raiders would easily beat it because the Raiders did what now?

Quite a convenient time to report this, considering Jon Gruden signed a lengthy extension with ESPN three days ago.

ESPN's Adam Schefter at least acknowledged the remote possibility that Harbaugh would consider Michigan, though he didn't "see that happening," and his explanation for why Harbaugh is now considering M is laughable:

Asked why he was considering it now, but hadn’t been previously, one person said now that the 49ers are out of the playoffs, it was possible for Harbaugh to at least consider it.

That's quite an interesting interpretation of Harbaugh saying he wasn't discussing any future job prospects while he still had a job with the 49ers. Yes, San Francisco getting officially eliminated from playoff contention meant Harbaugh almost certainly wouldn't be coaching on that particular side of the Bay Area next year, but it's rather hard to believe he woke up after losing to the Seahawks and realized at that moment he should probably start considering his future in private.

If only someone had reported that Michigan aimed the proverbial money cannon Harbaugh's way earlier. Someone like, say, Wolverine247's Steve Lorenz, on December 3rd ($):

I believe we were the first to report this, but we've been saying for a while that money was not going to be an issue for Michigan in this coaching search. This is almost certainly a combination of the highly profitable Michigan athletic department and donor/booster Stephen Ross, who will play a role in a potential Harbaugh hiring.

Around 9:30 this morning, I got a message from someone I consider a reputable source that echoed the 8 million/year number that has been bandied about.

The DSR's Jeff Moss reported similar that day, saying that Michigan had offered Harbaugh a financial package that would make him the highest-paid coach in the sport. The crew at Go Blue Wolverine has long maintained that money wouldn't be an issue in M's quest for Harbaugh ($). Same goes for Chris Balas at The Wolverine ($).

Unlike the NFL guys, the Michigan insiders have been open in acknowledging the nature of their sources and the fluidity of any coaching search, especially one that—in this case—is centered on a currently employed coach with a year left on his contract. They also had last night's suddenly groundbreaking info weeks ago. Funny how that works.

Comments

Saluki

December 18th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^

At 6 yrs/$48 million, regardless of whether  you think it seems ridiculous, the AD has succeeded in making everyone in the market realize that U of M means business.  It says "we feel this is one of the best jobs period, and if you are worthy of it, the pay is commensurate."

"Mr. Hackett, I have Nick Saban's agent on line 2..."

Who cares what the NFL talking heads say.  They are talking about it because it got everyone's attention.  They will be trying to un-paint themselves from the corner, and others will just spin it negatively.  In this instance, there pretty much is no such thing as bad press. Keep on talking, nothing like having U of M in the news cycle for something other than not meeting expectations.

Blue Mike

December 18th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^

I don't know what Harbaugh's agent has to gain by leaking the contract offer now.  It would be better for them if the whole thing simmered on low until the season is over, then they can start throwing contract offers out there.

Remember, nobody in the NFL can contact Jim right now.  What is the point of leaking the contract offer, when the Raiders can't immediately counter?  Two weeks is a LONG time for an owner to get cold feet and pull an unofficial offer.

Seems to me that it makes more sense that someone on the Michigan side of things leaked the offer to make public how serious they are about hiring a top coach, and also to add a little pressure to Harbaugh to respond more quickly.  He can't really take two weeks to "mull over" this offer, can he?  If he's still thinking about it December 29, I think Michigan has its answer.

LV Sports Bettor

December 18th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^

I wished we'd all hold back a little bit on the "they were wrong, the NFL isn't all that and their really eating their words now, etc......". That is at least until Harbaugh decides what he's actually going to do. Just because a contract offer got leaked to the press doesn't change where we are with all of this IMO. I guess it does if you were under the impression from the NFL insiders that Michigan doesn't have the money for Harbaugh and would never make a serious attempt at him but I never once felt that was what they were saying. If that was the case than yes I agree we should all be tooting our horns about this big offer but I don't think it was. 



If Harbaugh does decide to stay in the NFL than all of these insiders are going to come out right away and say "that he was never really serious about going to Michigan and that they told us that more or less from the start. That he used them for leverage or that his wife doesn't like cold weather or whatever". I'm sure that will hear every reason you could imagine thru the years.



Anyways call it a fear of jinxing this miracle from happening or whatever it is but I think were all jumping the gun here by laughing at these guys saying they were totally wrong. Obviously if Harbaugh does come back to Michigan that the second this becomes official than sure let's hammer these guys and beat our chests but like everything in this coaching search process, I think we need to show some patience.



 



 

123blue

December 18th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^

Eh...fuck em.  None of them are going to do a segment apologizing for being wrong.  None of them care about getting it wrong, because once/if Harbaugh signs, they're just going to report it like it's no big deal..and then move on to a story about Johnny Football, Lebron James or NASCAR.

The FannMan

December 18th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^

These guys work at the mercy of the NFL.  This is the same entity that got ESPN to drop the series "Playmakers" after one season.  The NFL made ESPN kill it because it featured topics such as NFL players using drugs, abusing their spouses and being gay.  Because, heaven knows, none of that stuff ever happens in the NFL!

So, if the NFL can make ESPN walk away from the money it put into developing a pretty successful TV show, think how quickly it could crush one of these guys for deviating from the party line.  It doesn't make them any less douchey, but it does explain why they toe the line.

themostbrian

December 18th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^

Lifetime Buckeye here. These types of posts are why I follow MGoBlog. This site is without question the best team-centric blog in the sports universe and that is due in large part to (1) the voice, intellect, and perspective of Brian, Ace and others, (2) the careful construction of reality, and (3) the devil-may-care attitude about fitting in with normative perspectives.

I love you MGoBlog. Never, ever, ever change.

Also: Please get better, Ace. My prayers are with you.

Callahan

December 18th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^

Two educated guesses:

1) The source for at least one of these guys is Harbaugh's agent. Why would an agent lie to a reporter? As they all are using circumstances to infer that he's staying in the NFL (just as we are using circumstances to infer it's happening), they refuse to consider that they might have been pauns in an agent's plan to make sure Michigan's offer wasn't the "this is Michigan, fergodsakes" offer. At least Brian and others have been open to the idea that in the end, there's an attraction to staying in the pros.

2) Most of these guys "sources" are each other. It's kind of like the 247 Crystal Ball bullshit. One guy gets some piece of information and they all fall in line with their "people I'm talking to are saying..." crap. 

 

Michigan9

December 18th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^

If the reports are true regarding this contract offer, its a huge statement by Michigan by backing up their stance on the position being one of the best in the country.  We believe its the best and we'll pay you like its the best.

#GOBLUE

RJMAC

December 18th, 2014 at 1:08 PM ^

Harbaugh probably told Michigan initially that he wants to stay in the NFL. Michigan then made a very serious offer, at least worth considering now. I still think he's going to Oakland. They will probably at least match the Michigan offer. He won't have to move his family. That includes all his assistant coaches and their families, which he has said publicly is one of his major concerns. The only way I think he comes is if his heart is really in coaching Michigan. Going by the previous report that he wants to stay in the NFL, it appears like he doesn't want to coach in college.

Lynettee

December 18th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^

Elizabeth . I see what you mean... Jack `s comment is flabbergasting... last saturday I got a top of the range Mini Cooper since getting a check for $7464 this-last/month and more than $10k last-month . without a doubt its the most-comfortable work Ive ever had . I began this nine months/ago and right away started to bring home over $69 per/hr . visit this web-site w­w­w.T­ra­de­S­i­lo.Co­m

Duderum97

December 18th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^

Everyone keeps saying they know or got info or whatever!  I am close with someone at SH and claims that it is calm there, and that the person making decisions is on a small vacation.  I talked to them last week and mentioned $$ and term and then last night it gets reported so I know they aren't filling my head with BS.  If a certain someone is on a mini vacation right now, that tells me something.  #1 everything is under control.  #2 at the HEIGHT of all that is Michigan Football if it wasn't under control there wouldn't be a vacation.....there would be stress, gray hair and all the things that comes with a coaching search.  Another thing is what Marcus Ray said on WTKA the other day about how people in college football will be "scared" once Michigan makes the announcement.  So here we all are still in need of a therapist!!!

Bring Blue Back

December 18th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^

The fact that Michigan is putting its money where its mouth is, is exciting.  We can hope that Harbaugh accepts, but let's not blame or trash him if he doesn't.

Some posters are making Ann Arbor seem like Heaven on Earth.  I was born and raised in Michigan, went to UM and graduated there, and in terms of cities, Harbaugh and his family do have better options than Ann Arbor.  Ann Arbor is still a nice city, but to make it seem that it would be better than all his other options simply is not true.  For what it offers and its size, it is a bit overpriced; the closest notable major city is Chicago, which is a 4-hour drive.

I think money is not the issue here.  For someone with that much money, I don't think he is concerned with the Bay Area's cost of living. 

It will boil down to this, especially considering his "Leaders Eat Last" Psyche:

  1. Is this a good move for my wife and kids?  California has a better climate, more things to do, more universities (and more prestigious ones) for his kids, and his family may enjoy being lower key in the Bay Area, because if they move to AA, they will be the top celebrities.
  2. Do I want to coach in the NFL (the Raiders probably) or at UM?  Based on his past success, I think he believes he can win anywhere, and why shouldn't he?

At the end of the day, he has to make a decision that he truly feels is best for he and his family.  If his heart is not in AA, then no one should blame him.  I love UM and the Michigan Wolverines, and maybe as a high schooler who idolized UM, I would say no doubt he has to take the UM job.  As an adult now, I probably would not take the job.  After living in some large cities after college, I tried to move back to AA and couldn't adjust.  It no longer held the same appeal as it did when I was attending.

Anyhow, not trying to be a downer.  I hope he does tick differently (along with his family) and comes back to AA.  I think the guy UM should have went after is Miles, because that guy definitely wants to be the head coach of UM despite being spurned in the past.  With Harbaugh being silent and taking his time, it makes me wonder if he really wants to be in AA and I hope he does not accept because of the pressure being applied by the University and Alumni.  If he accepts, I hope it is because he truly believes that AA is the place for him and his family.

The truth is, while Michigan needs Harbaugh, Harbaugh does not need Michigan and does not owe the university his head coaching services.

Zoltanrules

December 18th, 2014 at 11:20 PM ^

The crap that is out there from "people in the know" is mind blowing. I don't know how Sam Webb does his job. Would love to see him and Ira get drunk and tell these idiots off.