$49Million/6 years seems like an odd number at first, but if all $49 MIllion was divided evenly and did not include incentives, not only would he beat Saban by over a million, He'd beat Sean Payton too. We're prepared to make him the highest paid football coach ever. 

"We want something to happen so badly that, during the early lovefest, we pass over too many of the specifics because the general discussions are going so well, and the details are lost."

This was a quote attributed to Jim Hackett - speaking in generalities about Michigan's courting of Rich Rodriguez and the turmoil to come from the slipshod process in JUB's book. I'd say we have the right guy handling the Harbaugh situation for us.

What a no talent ass clown he was.

Jesus man, the tension is ratcheting up by the freakin' hour. Double searchbits, more "It's happening" chatter, spiced with just the right amount of "Maybe it's not happening" to keep me insane. I pray to any and all deities that this ends soon because I can't take much more of it.

 

Regardless of outcome it seems like this was as well played as possible by Hackett. Kudos to you sir. Now I will return to my crystals, chanting, juju and pyramids to effect the desired result.

Let's hope we don't have to go there, Cook.

Doesn't happen there will be devastation the likes of which we have never seen.

the offer was made, and hackett is all in. harbaugh may start talking tomorrow. and if he doesn't the call goes out to mullen.

This takes me back to the days when aOsu fans would swear thet Urban would coach in Columbus and we would laugh off that insider info they claimed to have because why would he leave Florida? Buckeye fans were just dreaming until Urban suddenlu begged out of his job just as Tressel was leaving town. Of course we posters on message boards can be forgiven for being all wet to a degree the knowledgeable NFL media snobs can't be.

I'm not going to dismiss Schefter because I don't see why he would be biased against us.  Yes, it may be true that Michigan insiders have more access to information from within MIchigan.  But it also may be true that NFL insiders have more access to information in the NFL.  There may be natural bias (based on access to information), but it works both ways.

Yes, there is a no poaching period until the end of the NFL regular season, but it's hard for me to imagine that NFL teams who are out of the playoffs aren't trying to get around that by faciliating communications between agents (i.e. no direct contact).  There may be NFL offers already on the table that we're not aware of.

I think we need to take a step back.  Both Michigan insiders / NFL guys may be talking to people with vested interests / hopes.  Ultimately the only person who knows is Harbaugh himself. 

Thank you, Brian. Your swift response following the national news leaks and the added clarity concerning the official offer at roughly 3pm ET, brings balance to the noise.

If Jim Harbaugh truly ever entertained coaching at Michigan, this is as good as it gets timing-wise. Circumstance has brought his childhood love to his doorstep willing to do what no one would have believed they are willing to do before now.

Ann Arbor means more to Jim Harbaugh than just Michigan football. He grew up there. His parents are Blue. He has known Bo since he was a little kid. He was allowed to run around the football offices, to be on the sidelines during games.

He knows things about Bo and Michigan that few could.

He knows Ann Arbor is a great place to raise a family.

His wife has to know what Michigan means to him. If she is his partner, she will encourage him to follow his dreams.

There is no other coach out there that concerns Urban Meyer and Mark Dantonio more than Jim Harbaugh. Bank that.

Any choice to coach the Wolverines must be qualified with, 'will he be capable of consistently beating your rivals?'

Jim Harbaugh has a huge decision to make.

There is no one better suited to coach Michigan.

I suspect Jim knows this.

I want my kids to experience the Michigan football excellence I experienced growing up.

If I were Jim Harbaugh, this is an easy decision. 

 

Go Blue.

Two Searchbits in one day.  I've got a CC Monkey on my back.  Really appreciate the updates.

For the next 8 days, everyone be on your best behavior! Help old ladies across the street. Put your spare change in the collection bins for Salvation Army. Lay your coats down across puddles. Santa will then get us all the best Christmas present ever!!!

to not get too excited. I really am. Glad Hackett made a grade A offer. If JH doesn't accept, we can't say we didn't try. But this is whole scenario is like someone is writing a book behind the scenes. The timing and fit are just too perfect. "And Jim accepted the Michigan job ,and not so soon after that ,a sleeping giant finally woke up"

I agree that the ball is in Harbaugh's court, and if he passes on Michigan it won't be because Michigan screwed anything up.  They are treating this like a professional, well-run organization would, and that is refreshing given the clown show we've seen around here for 7 years.

I will make the obligatory "public school in economically-troubled state offering the most money ever to a football coach" statement, but at the same time Michigan is kinda barely a state school anymore given the limited assistance they receive from Lansing and their significant out-of-state demographic.  Let's just hope Harbaugh accepts and the fanbase can move on to the next stage.

Brian.  You rock.  Perfectly stated and well put together.  Bravo for that.  Life is about honesty.  Michigan is giving its honest, best proposal to Harbaugh here.  Michigan has done all that it can, and can stand tall knowing they are truly being transparent and giving a fair, more than fair actually, offer.