CC: Is it a bad sign that the $49 million offer was leaked?

Submitted by FrankMurphy on

Assuming that the reports are accurate, I don't see how it benefits Michigan for the terms of its jaw-dropping offer to be out there for the world to know. Is it possible that the offer was leaked by Harbaugh's people? Might this be an indication that he's using Michigan for leverage with other NFL teams? I know the perception in our world has been that Harbaugh would never do that to his alma mater, but I'm having trouble seeing it any other way.

hdhimself

December 17th, 2014 at 8:54 PM ^

No issues with this at all. Puts the ball in JH's court publicly. Puts the rest of college football, and all of football for that matter, on notice... and... and that salary offer isn't too far from one coach of the Saints. If say, we need a plan B. Hackett isn't screwing this thing up guys! Even if Harbaugh declines... Listen to Mr. Rodgers. R-E-L-A-X! We're going to be ok. But yeah, if Harbaugh does come here... I already have to run around my office pantsless. I will gladly do it too!

maize-blue

December 18th, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^

Agree. I'm looking at it as a power move by UM. They've pushed all their chips to the center of the table (maybe) and are telling everyone else in the world, "If you really want Harbaugh, beat that". Another possible positive is that by offering to make him the highest paid coach in college or NFL they may be drawing new interest of very suitable candidates if Harbaugh declines.

Yooper

December 17th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^

Even though they have plenty of money a lot of the NFL teams will back off.  The NFL is about collusion and you don't want to be the guy who sets the market for coaches.  I know it only takes one but some will pass, thus narrowing the NFL options.

In addition, if we have to go to Plan B-the pool of candidates just got bigger.  You don't think Stoop's agent isn't saying to his client "Hey Bob, maybe that Michigan job is better than you think.  How about I check it out for you?"

Quail2theVict0r

December 17th, 2014 at 8:23 PM ^

I doubt it...pay sites were reporting this offer as early as Monday. It seems the NFL guys just caught up and are now reporting it. I doubt it means anything in terms of if Harbaugh will take it or not.

I only wish to be in a position someday to ONLY "consider" an $8 million a year offer....

gwkrlghl

December 17th, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

I think the NFL guys are probably pretty well connected amongst the suits of the NFL but are possibly not connected (or too arrogant to care to be connected) outside of that group. They were just completely crushed by a bunch of Michigan bloggers who look like total amateurs to them.

They seem to be under the impression that if they didnt find it first, it isn't true...until it's reported 100 times and then they'll take their previous spiel and try to fit it in with the stuff that had been reported for a week already

Toledostrip

December 17th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^

This is bad. JH team leaked this to the media. Considering? He shopping the bid. Not very interested or intrigued but considering, I fear he wants another NFL offer. If that is true we screwed up option A2 and will be stuck with B.

The ESPN report was not encourag and the hoopla on this board about it is unnerving

I Like Burgers

December 17th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^

Its not leverage, but him or his agent leaking it lets NFL teams know where the floor is for an offer.  i.e. if you want my client, you better be prepared to make him the highest paid coach in football.

DavidP814

December 17th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^

That is what I've been wondering for awhile. That would depend on the source of the leak, however.
If Harbaugh's side leaked the deal, might be a bad sign for UM. If UM leaked, not as bad, although I can still see a scenario where UM leaks a deal they don't think will happen: covers Hackett landing Plan B choice b/c fans/alums will know Harbaugh offer was aggressive

Schrödingers Cat

December 17th, 2014 at 8:47 PM ^

I came to that conclussion as well, at first.  Although it does give some leverage to whomever it may be (if it gets to that).  I think if the "B" guy is not a high caliber coach, both the coach and Michigan should be conscious of that fact and negotiate appropiatly.  But that requires placing faith on the process and we have all seen how that has worked out in the past.  

I do like the fact this puts the ball in Harbaughs court, I cant imagine him say anything at this point that would be positive.  He's still the coach in SF and I suspect he will be a professional about it and make a defining statement after the season like he has said.  Making vague statemtents or skirting around it all together can be seen as a good sign, right?

straight-gangs…

December 17th, 2014 at 8:47 PM ^

However, I do think there is something to essentially having JH publicly turn down the job. If the numbers are out there, Hackett doesn't have to deal with 50% of the fan base questioning whether we really made a compelling offer, etc... This way it looks like we went at him with reall $'s however his heart is in the nfl at this point.

I'm not saying this is the direction I think it's going, but it's realistic to consider we are nearing the end of our swim lane and it's time to shit or get off the pot.

Madonna

December 17th, 2014 at 8:54 PM ^

I want Michigan to have made one aggressive and respectful offer (for the reasons you state), which Jim Harbaugh accepts or refuses because of his personal choice to coach here or in the NFL.While paying him more than Saban is dubious on the one hand, his NFL sucess at least validates it.

If he wants to coach in the NFL because it is the NFL, then i can at least respect that.  I could not respect haggling with Michigan or playing us off against NFL teams.  I hope any leaks come from his agent who may not grasp the integrity angle, even if Harbaugh fully does.

FreddieMercuryHayes

December 17th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^

The 8 million figure has been out there since early Dec. Could be a bad thing. Maybe not. Could mean things are getting serious enough that enough people are involved that a leak could come from anywhere. I mean it was leaked a week ago Pelini was accepting the Youngstown job. And same with Meyer and OSU. And same with Miles if Martin didn't drop the ball on that one.




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redsoxaa

December 17th, 2014 at 8:25 PM ^

It's a great thing.  Harbaugh is going to have to be candid in his interest now.  It's also a huge sign to any other A list NCAA coaches that Michigan has money to spend and to speak up or risk missing out.