Probably Useless Speculation Update
I'm not sure what value all this has since none of it is anything more than fourth-hand whispers that happen to end up on a verified twitter account or—ugh—random sports talk radio, but the thing to do at the moment appears to be "collect and relate various Harbaugh related items," so here are various Harbaugh-related items.
We have the wobbly Schefter report and the all but certainly worthless Big Lead post already mentioned. Also:
Positive: NFL Network reporter (and OSU alum who irritatingly uses "the") Albert Breer has a couple tweets indicating the supposed Ballke hire would be bad for the 49ers in their pursuit of Harbaugh:
Hearing front-office structure/GM is vital to landing Jim Harbaugh for NFL teams. And that could put Baalke's candidacy in peril with 49ers. Basically, if the Niners really want Harbaugh, might have to pass on Baalke. We'll see. Either way, who the GM is, is very important to JH.
All that said, Michigan's still a very viable option for Harbaugh. I don't think there are many NFL jobs better than that one.
Negative: Schefter tweets…
Worth noting: Jim Harbaugh does not have blind loyalty to Michigan. He still remembers being bypassed for Mich QB coaching job in 2002.
…wait, what? Because Lloyd Carr didn't hire Harbaugh in 2002 he wouldn't be the head coach, thereby getting the ultimate-I'm-nailing-your-ex revenge on Carr? There was a different AD, different coaching staff, and now the current guy is a former teammate of his who escorted Carr out the door earlier this year. If Brandon asks, the fact that someone else didn't want him to be QB coach doesn't seem like it would play a factor.
Bah.
Schefter also expanded on that NFL feeling from the twitters on the four letter, and it was transcribed by the News:
"Now, there is a real feeling around the league he would prefer be in the NFL, but it will have to be a situation and an organization that is aligned in a way Jim Harbaugh wants it to be, and if that's the case then maybe he makes the jump to go to San Francisco, but Michigan is clearly interested and is making his decision difficult."
Schefter believes Harbaugh's decision could come as early as the middle of the week. Stanford is scheduled to return to Palo Alto, Calif., by 8 p.m. Detroit time on Tuesday.
"I would say sometime 24 hours after that we should be able to get a decision on whether Jim Harbaugh will be leaving Stanford to go to the NFL or whether Jim Harbaugh will be going to Michigan," Schefter said. "All along, we've said Michigan is in play and it would be up to an NFL team to convince him not to go to Ann Arbor and make it worth his while to prevent him from going to the college ranks, and that's exactly what's going to happen.
"If there's an NFL team out there, a la, the 49ers that can come with a compelling enough offer and make it worth his while, then he's going to the NFL."
Kirk Herbstreit said the opposite as the college and NFL guys displayed their biases. A "feeling around the league" is about as worthwhile as a feeling from Ann Arbor, because NFL guys can't think of anything else they'd rather do up to and including see their children.
Positive: On 97.1 this afternoon, Doug Karsch asserted that "two very connected sources" within the athletic department said that if offered the job, Harbaugh would come and that if he doesn't it's because Michigan didn't offer the job, something no one believes will happen. This is the Ann Arbor version of "feeling around the league."
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
think so
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
The imaginary press conference...DB announces he is retaining RR.
Reason given, "There has been a vast improvement in reducing fumbled punt returns."
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
that it has taken our minds off Dee Hart? Like the timing of his decommitt was perfect??
Yeah, thats crazy alright!
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^
The most recent Dee Hart decommit didn't surprise most people around here. The writing was on that wall for a while.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
And I haven't heard a thing about Tate and his ineligibility and what it means for the team.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
Denard basically telling the world he would not commit to coming back next year if RR gets fired.
The hell with Harbaugh as HC. Does he have any eligibility left? I mean, he got injured in '84. Can he still play QB? Can we get a ruling from the NCAA?
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
Actually, he just chose not to answer a question prefaced on the idea that Rodriguez was going to be fired. That's not exactly "would not commit to coming back."
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
good call.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
I don't think it has to seek permission, but I do think the job has to be publicly posted. How that impacts a targeted search, I'm not sure.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
to handle the arrival of the Harbaugh - I have too much LOTR in my head: "Thus was the line of the house of Schembechler restored on the throne of Gondor"
/needtogetoutmore
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
On the upside for the TV networks, I would guess that they just got the benefit of the UM fanbase in addition to Stanford and VTech's tonight.
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^
what if stanford gets dong slapped tonight?
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
Then it's probably fair to say the Pac 10 isn't as strong as people thought, and Auburn will probably beat Oregon for the MNC. But as I mentioned in another thread, any member of the Big 10 shouldn't be pointing fingers at other conferences after Saturday's debacles.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^
I would guess that plenty current members of the team are scouting their potential next head coach tonight.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
1) Michigan has/is surely made/making Harbaugh an offer.
2) It's up to Harbaugh to accept or reject the offer.
3) There's only one fucking guy on the planet who knows anything about #2 at this point and he's coaching a football game tonight. So all we can do is wait or talk about Plan B candidates... of which, well, I'd rather just wait.
Anyone can read twitter feeds, it doesn't make it reporting. (This is in no way a slam on Brian, but on reporters passing off "feelings around the league" as some sort of information.)
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^
... how many coaches have the chance to play a big time college football program against two-plus NFL teams at the same time.
If JH comes to AA, he will command top-five money (Damn Fine Les Miles is #5 at $3.9 million). Mike Singletary of the 49ers made RichRod money ($2.5 million per, #12 in the nation).
JH's agent will go into hyperspeed within 90 seconds of the end of the Orange Bowl. The 49ers and Denver openings mean DB will have to spend high and spend long to secure JH.
JH needs one of these to back up to the loading dock at the Big House.
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
I'd be curious to know what kind of money JH is worth to an NFL team. I know we all want him, but he has absolutely no NFL coaching experience and only a few years of major college football coaching experience (in which he was successful in the last couple). Does that warrant 5+ million per year from an NFL team? That would be what the top NFL head coaches make, or guys like Pete Carroll who have proven to dominate the NCAA for nearly a decade. Does anyone have an idea what teams like the Broncos or the 49ers are looking to shell out for JH?
That said, I bet the $$$ alumni could figure out how to make 3-4 million a year work to get JH here, and I bet they've made it clear to DB that they'll make it work. Unless a team wants to make JH one of the top 5 highest paid NFL coaches, I think we can give him the paycheck an NFL team is willing to.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
I completely agree on the money. I have been arguing with two of my buddies (your negative nancy type fan) for the better part of a month about UM as a whole. It recently turned to NFL coaching salaries versus college, so I looked up the #'s to prove them wrong on their "Harbaught to NFL no matter what stance." Putting aside the Belichick/Carroll/Shannahan, the salaries are very comparable with top CFB coaches making more than your average to good NFL coach. I don't think the money would be that different, especially considering his run at UM would be much longer than NFL per history of coaches making the jump.
There is an abundance of boosters/alum with very deep pockets that I'm sure wouldn't hesitate to help lure JH here...
I just want it to be Wednesday already. If work didn't get in my way, I could just go on a college style bender and come back to earth when we have a resolution!
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^
We were spoiled by Lloyd's refusal to insist on being one of the top paid coaches. If we want a top coach, it's time for us to step up and pay like we want a top coach.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
I would Ride or Die with Patrick Edmund J. Fitzgerald.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
aw fuck it all. I'm just gonna go to sleep and wake up a week from now and whatever the fuck has happened, so be it.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:09 PM ^
Wake me up when you find out.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
That picture is in Bo's book that I was just glancing over this afternoon. The quotables from Harbaugh make you wonder how he'd turn down the job if he was offered it.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
Makes me think Lloyd Brady is actually Lloyd Harbaugh!!!
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
But not going to be shocked if he opted for the 49ers job if offered. Living in No. Cal with lots of money in your pocket is pretty sweet AND stepping up to the NFL as a HC - tough to turn down. Wonder what his wife has to say?
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
Wouldnt he have a bunch either way? Plus, I am guessing he made pretty good coin during his long NFL QB career.
My guess is he takes whichever job he likes best and that pay isnt as much of a factor.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
should text the above photo to Harbaugh repeatedly after his final press conference at the Orange Bowl tonight.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^
he have a better chance of success. He is coming into a situation where most people still love him...he IS a Michigan Man. So he will be give so much latitude.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
"Kirk Herbstreit said the opposite as the college and NFL guys displayed their biases."
Kirk Herbstreit should NEVER speak of a Michigan coaching situation again. He has zero credibility.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
I am NOT the author of this, but had to share.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
Funny story and well put together.
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
thanks for sharing, that was awesome
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
Everybody calm down. Two facts:
1) Harbaugh is preparing for a BCS Bowl TONIGHT!
2) Talking heads gotta talk.
There probably is some contact occurring between NFL teams and Harbaugh's representative. But anybody who says JH is leaning this way or that way today (when he's very busy getting ready for tonight's game) is not basing that on any direct feedback from him. Pure and simple.
I trust Brandon to manage this process effectively, and believe that if this is really his dream job, then he'll come. If it's not, then Brandon will have other options.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
at first, i read:
worth noting:
as:
worth nothing:
ahahahhahhha. ahhhh... sigh..
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
A) Harbaugh celebrating a Rick Leach TD; or
B) Harbaugh telling a young Devin Gardner, "Man, Devin -- I think you're going to win the Heisman this year."
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
My two favorite UM QB's pictured above! Like JH my favorite QB was RL! I wish I was able to give RL high fives on the feild at Michigan Stadium like JH! It would be great to have JH here and I hope he decides to come. It may be his last chance to coach at UM, especially if the next coach is successful and stays 20 to 30 years. NFL jobs are a dime a dozen and after coaching a few national championships here JH can always coach in the NFL in the next 10 or 15 years! I wonder what RL thoughts on JH being the HC. I know RL was a big RR fan like many of us are on this site. RL will always support the HC, that's what I like about Rick!
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
Remains my favorite Michigan football player -- although I am quickly making room for Denard!
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
to say my favorite player is Dave Glinka, although he never beat OSU. I think Denard is replacing Dave on my list too. I will call Dave this week to tell him. He wont be suprised.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
I think JH will make room for denard as well, should he become the next coach. after dealing with the likes of darron thomas and tyrod taylor i'm sure he'll figure out how to ride the d-train to the rose bowl!
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
How dare those bastards try to out scoop me.
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
This goes further back than 2002. Harbaugh won't come back to Michigan because Bo wouldn't let him be a history major.
All Harbaugh wanted to do was study medieval history but Bo forced him into football.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
I just cracked up imagining Harbaugh holding a grudge for that all this time. I'd say that Harbaugh, after spending 15 years in the NFL and many more years devoted to coaching football, found his true passion....maybe
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
I don't care who the next coach is as long as he has big enough balls to come in and say, " Come October 15, someones gonna get their ass kicked, and the clocks ticking".
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:41 PM ^
I really hope he mentions November 26th as well.
January 3rd, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
Honestly, I'd prefer that he didn't mention Oct. 15 at all.
I'd hope he is someone who is able to keep his eyes on the real prize.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:24 PM ^
I really did.
Checking every 30 minutes or so and keeping myself from clicking any of the posts, I had almost survived the work day.
And then, this . . . and now 150 some posts in . . I'm right back to being the wreck I was all weekend.
Sigh.
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