SEARCHBITS XXI: THE TIELLUMINATI Comment Count

Brian

harbaugh-baalke[1]

Harbaugh wears ties for these kinds of events

IS IT HAPPENING? More unconfirmed reports that it's happening, including a number of people sending me a receipt for ties from Van Boven—a local upscale men's retailer—destined for one Jim Harbaugh in California. HE GOT SOME TIES is in the THEY'RE SHOPPING FOR A HOUSE vein of circumstantial evidence, except… somewhat less convincing. But I'm pretty sure Jim Harbaugh just got some ties from Ann Arbor. Or at least someone who knows him sent him some.

Please do not send Jim Harbaugh ties unless he's coming back, readers.

In less speculative connections: players on the team are pretty optimistic. Some recent grads have the same agent as Harbaugh and they are feeling good about it, and it's filtering out as they tell the people around them. The telephone chain is pretty long here (Harbaugh to agent to recent graduate to current player) and there's a natural inclination to turn "it might be happening" into IT'S HAPPENING along the way, but… yeah, players on the team are thinking it's happening.

I have totally unconfirmed reports that there's a verbal agreement and the only thing that could nix it would be an NFL team coming in with a ludicrous deal. I don't know if that should make you feel better or worse, because a ludicrous NFL deal is definitely a possibility. Conflicting reports on whether Hackett and Harbaugh have actually met/talked or if this is still at the agent stage. I don't buy the verbal agreement bit—too much telephone for that to be meaningful.

I can state that there is stuff going down at the regents/AD level, with meetings scheduled today and Monday. It is possible some of these meetings may turn into public events. Something is happening. Is it IT?

FWIW. I find the react posted by thosewhostay7 to be pretty credible; people have been questioning whether I still buy it. I'm not saying it's gospel, but it is a data point, one that agrees with other stuff I've heard: Harbaugh is just now seriously considering his future, Michigan wants this done by January 1st, and that even if an NFL team promises him the moon the fact remains that he has an owner who is likely to meddle. "Autocracy" is in fact what college offers, for the most part. Bayesian reasoning, man: this is not as good as getting a call from Hackett but it's enough to move the needle some.

This is in conflict with the done deal stuff, yes. I think the done deal stuff is less accurate than the above. I know you don't want to hear some of it; don't shoot the messenger. My current status: considerable, but fearful optimism.

ROSS IS NOT GETTING INVOLVED IN THE BAD WAY (FOR NOW). Ross puts it out in the media that he's not interested in being an NFL suitor for Harbaugh:

Despite widespread media speculation that the Dolphins will pursue 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, owner Stephen Ross has shown no indication that he has any interest in making a coaching change, sources told the Miami Herald on Thursday.

Furthermore, the organization has no desire to be used as leverage in Harbaugh’s upcoming negotiations — which some see as inevitable based on Ross’ previous relationship with Harbaugh.

Given previous speculation that he would jump in if Michigan was out, that's good news. For now.

MORE ON TIMING. December 23rd has been kicked around as a potentially important day; it is, but not because it's Harbaugh's birthday. I mean, it is important because it's Harbaugh's birthday. If he comes that's New Christmas. In terms of the coaching search, though, it's important because it's one of two scheduled meetings between Hackett and the team. That's a point at which we might get unofficial word, or at least a vibe on whether it's happening.

The second meeting is scheduled for the 28th. You will no doubt read something into that whether I tell you to or not.

THE PRECISE NUMBER. Bruce Feldman and John U Bacon both said the Godfather money mentioned by the NFL press is not accurate. If so it's not that far off, as I've heard numbers ranging from 45 to 49 pretty consistently and Webb is saying that is the number, period. PFT is on point with their article, noting that the offer is disputed "because of course it is." This coaching search, everybody!

The number that is likely in dispute is how many years it is, as that has ranged from six to eight. Have heard that in lieu of a traditional buyout, the contract is backloaded to encourage Harbaugh to finish out the deal.

Either way we are talking Saban money, enough that if Harbaugh does stay in the NFL it isn't about said money.

LET'S READ EVERYTHING INTO PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES. Harbaugh did not say "screw you guys, I'm going home" yesterday, but in terms of reasonable presser outcomes this was pretty good:

-Q: Have you been offered a contract by the University of Michigan?

-HARBAUGH: As you know, I only talk about the job that I have. We’ve been together a long time. Always been my policy.

-Q: Trent mentioned recently that you and he met briefly this week and agreed that you’d talk about everything at the end of this season. Was that something you asked for? How did that come about?

-HARBAUGH: As you know, Trent and I have discussions every day. So…

-Q: You said in the off-season that your intention was to coach out this contract. Is that still your intention?

-HARBAUGH: Umm… Yeah, I’ve said I’m going to finish this ’til the end. My focus is the same as the players’ focus, it’s the same as the coaches’ focus, the focus on the practice field, the focus in meetings, by our players, by our coaches and by me.

That is our focus–this football game against the San Diego Chargers. And playing well and winning. That’s where our energy and focus is.

San Francisco beat writer and licensed internet troll Tim Kawakami thought there was something a bit different with Harbaugh:

You wont have Harbs to kick around anymore? Let's read into that excessively, okay? Okay. It's agreed. Based on a licensed internet troll's opinion of Harbaugh's body language, Harbaugh is a lock. Glad we could come to this opinion together.

YOU OWE US A DOLLAR. Steve Addazio signs an extension based on rumors that Michigan might be thinking about thinking about considering making him a part of their long list. This turns into:

This development removes Addazio from the search for a new coach at Michigan, where he was considered one of the prime candidates after San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan didn’t make direct contact with Addazio, but a source said the school reached out to gauge his interest.

My eyes roll so hardcore at that. Yes, Michigan pinged Addazio's agent. They pinged David Cutcliffe. They pinged a number of people who aren't in need of an extension right now. None of that means anything except you are on the long list. Football Scoop of course took this as evidence that their previous take on Addazio was gospel and I mean… cumong man.

A lot of this is people talking to coaches. Why would coaches know anything about Michigan's search unless they are actively involved in it? Coaches are not sources.

I AM NOT IN HARBAUGH'S BUSHES. I had to miss my weekly spot on WTKA because I'm out of town, leading to a joke about how I'm in San Francisco. I am not, please don't blame me if everything falls apart. It is not because I'm creepin'.

A REMINDER. Chatsports is not credible, even if they've moved on from the Ace Williams moniker. Good luck at prom this spring though.

ETC.: I RTed Scott Paterno saying something really dumb. RIP to da mentions. Lesson learned. Miles says some more stuff that's not quite about not coaching Michigan. Harbaugh the recruiter.

Comments

bronxblue

December 19th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^

Prom is going to be so awesome!

I've never understood people thinking any guy pinged by a search committee is a viable option.  The fact someone asked if a coach is alive doesn't mean he's getting an offer, and the overreaction on the interwebs about it is one of the funnier aspects of this search.

michigandune

December 19th, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^

Why does Colin Cowherd hate Michigan so much?  I only could only hear a small bit of what he is saying but wow, he seems to me of coming off as as a real moron. Maybe just because I am a Michigan fan.  

Sorry if this has already been mentioned.  

michigandune

December 19th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^

If he wants to be critical of the football program, I don't have a problem with that, most of us are not happy with it either.  But when you have to bring out some "cartoonish" voice and basically insult Michgan fans and people in Ann Arbor, he is showing a side of him that I had not seen before. 

These NFL, FoxSports and ESPN hacks are like a bunch of cackling women at a Justin Bieber concert. 

The Reeve

December 19th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^

Do NFL teams really have the freedom to openly bid for Harbaugh's services? Or even speak with Harbaugh and his agent? I mean even AFTER the season. I thought San Francisco --who is adversarial to Harbaugh and also, I would imagine, hostile to escalating coaching prices -- retained his rights, and that any offers would be filtered through them. And that the only incentive in which they're interested is their compensation. In other words, until SF is happy with proposed compensation, JH and agent are in the dark. Sure, they'll communicate back channels, but two things have to happen for JH to formally even hear about a competitive bid for his services: 1) SF is OK with the team in question getting Harbaugh, and 2) SF is excited enough about THEIR compensation to then see if JH likes HIS compensation package.

If SF compensation packages are weak, SF wants Harbaugh to GTFO of the NFL. I think Hackett's move is to stifle the NFL bidding for JH. The timetable is such that any interested NFL team has to have picks and $$$ locked and loaded for SF as well as likely > than $48 million for JH. Possible, yes? Easy? Recall also that JH comes with a little baggage - what went wrong with his coaching style in SF? Is he a four year rental. All these complicated hurdles may scare off any action.

I am not saying it can't happen, but this is far, far from an open market bidding process, which will, if economics still works, depress prices.

I seriously don't know if this thinking is right; please clarify if I am off base. It just seems like a lot of moving parts for JH to get a series of competitive offers to the $48 million rolling in before the end of the year.

Mr Miggle

December 19th, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^

I do think Harbaugh and SF will talk so they know which teams he might even consider and what he's looking for in a contract. I don't think teams are going to want to waste time negotiating compensation and then find there's no chance of a deal going through.

MGoVictory

December 19th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^

I still don't buy Those Who Stay. As mentioned last night, he tweeted the following a few months ago. 

 

 

It seems unlikely to me that this person who came out of nowhere has contacts in the Michigan AD and with Harbaugh's agent David Dunn.

billygoblue

December 19th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^

Brian IS in SF helping close the deal.  He is traveling under the name - Natty Bumppo--. Harbaugh said he needed to gauge what the real feeling of the Wolverine Football Community would be if he came back & the only person that could supply that answer was the underground leader of that community at MGOBLOG -

He needed to meet him face-to-face to be sure that he would have the proper support to lead the overthrow of all that is bad and restore Meechigan to the standards set under our late, glorious leader - Glenn Bo Schembechler.

When the bonfire is lit on the hillside - that is the sign that the deal is complete. 

Amaizing Blue

December 19th, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^

Reminds me of watching a big game back in the days when we were, you know, good.  Only difference is that lasted 3 hours, this is going on 3 weeks.  It will make it all the sweeter if he comes, but oh my God how awful it will be if he doesn't.  He's going to, right?  RIGHT?

gustave ferbert

December 19th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^

I just saw Kirk Herbstreits tweet from a couple of days ago and how this hire could resurrect the B1G.   . .Could it create a situation where it could go against the SEC?

 

How could Harbaugh turn away from the opportunity to literally change the landscape of college football to just stick around and win a trophy?  The trophy will never be named after him.  Hell at Michigan the new football complex 50 years from will probably be named after JH. . . . 

come home jimmy.

BIGBLUEWORLD

December 19th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^

The NFL will always be there.  This opportunity, such perfect timing and confluence of events, most likely will never come again.

CompleteLunacy

December 19th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^

Which is kind of what it feels like (or used to, anyway) watching M football with a 7 point lead in the 4th quarter. You're optimistic, but still bracing for what seems like the inevitable when it comes to M sports. So you hope and intellectually think it may happen, but your heart knows that until that clock strikes 0:00, there is always impending DOOM around the corner. lurking. Waiting.

MGlobules

December 19th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^

has this many people ever set aside their DIFFERENCES to want anything so much? I mean, I for one detest screamer coaches. But here I am hoping harder than anyone else that Harbaugh becomes our coach and that we give a guy doing something as trivial as coach a game bazillions of dollars; and he even likes bad country music! (I know, Hoke liked good music and where did that get us?)

And I will be desolate now if this thing doesn't happen because this last searchbit has finally convinced me that this thing is going to happen!

benjamint1024

December 19th, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^

It would be new Christmas. Whatever date it was that our lord and savior, Jim Harbaugh, stood in front of a microphone and said, "I'm taking my talents to Ann Arbor", would be market on my calendar as New Christmas forever.

blicht4

December 19th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^

"I had a dream last night. I dreamt I was a dove flying over the sea. And then I dove into the ocean... And I swam with the dolphins. I was two animals joined as one... which meant - good things are coming. Good things."



Mr. Cheezle (Grandma's Boy)

herbertcwaldon

December 22nd, 2014 at 8:57 PM ^

Start working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life.This is what I do…….  
 
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