CC: Jerry Rice thinks Harbaugh is "gone" in SF

Submitted by Atlanta_Blue on

Take it FWIW but for Michigan to land JH, he's got to be on the market.

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schreibee

November 4th, 2014 at 2:45 PM ^

Well, he did work for that (Raiders) organization. He was the QB coach when Gannon went from journeyman to MVP. Hindsight, why do you come too late?!

That's not to say he's eager to return as their HC. That would require knowing how they plan to proceed re: GM Reggie McKenzie, or his possible successor.

My guess for some time now has been M or Miami. Who's gonna outspend Ross if he decides he wants Jim?

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goblue20111

November 4th, 2014 at 6:45 PM ^

Well just like people think Harbaugh to Michigan is a foregone conclusion because of the connection.  Harbaugh to the Dolphins because of the Ross connection is also a possiblity.  Philbin isn't anything special, not a bad coach but if you have a chance to go get one of the best coaches in the NFL, you thank the current guy and give him a nice gold watch on his way out. 

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coldnjl

November 4th, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^

Don't forget that San Fran owns his rights, and would prefer to trade him. The previous bar set for trading an elite coach was when Gruden was traded from Oakland to Tampa Bay. That deal netted Oakland two 1rst rounders, two 2nd rounders, and 8 million in cash. Whywould San fran flat out fire him and be on the hook for that buyout if they can get a heavy influx of picks (doubt they will be able to get that haul) and just risk the amount Harbaugh is owed for next season?

That is why San Fran WANTS him to stay in the NFL. Does Harbaugh want to cut one of his legs out from under him? Possibly, but definitly a deterrent.

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coldnjl

November 4th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^

Like I said, that bevy of pics is probably unreasonable, but just last year, Cleveland tried to trade for Harbaugh.

http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2014/02/21/jim-harbaugh-trade-cleveland-browns 

This link speculated that San Fran could have received at a minimium 1 first round pick.

All I am saying is that a return to college may be the path of least resistance for Jim and that everything is aligning up for a return to Michigan.

 

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Ali G Bomaye

November 4th, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^

The Raiders are the single worst coaching job in the NFL, and maybe in all of pro sports.  They have a roster bereft of young talent, a meddling owner, unsure franchise stability (San Antonio?), and a decrepit stadium.  I would rank them last in the NFL in basically every measure that would matter to a coach.

The Giants, Jets, Panthers, Falcons, Titans, and Jaguars might have openings after this season.  Any one of those jobs is infinitely more desirable than the Raiders job, even if it means moving his family.

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James Burrill Angell

November 4th, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

Harbaugh has one more year on his contract with SF. That means he'd have to either be traded by SF to another NFL team OR SF would have to let him walk but they have his rights in the NFL for 2015. 

On the other hand, he can walk for a college job (or any other conceivable non-NFL job) without being hampered by the 49ers contract. Thus, its a little different deal than the last coach search because we're not competing with the whole NFL. We're essentially competing with either (a) him staying in SF which seems like its not going to happen or (b) the possibility that all parties (meaning the 49ers, Jim and another NFL team) can work out moving him to that NFL team. Are you really so sure the 49ers would just let him walk or go to the NFL team of Jim's choosing without compensation of some form? 

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ahw1982

November 4th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^

So it's possible that Harbaugh is allowing the Harbaugh-to-Michigan rumors to get louder because it gives him more leverage in securing a transfer to another NFL team with that team giving up as little as possible in assets.  49ers would be more willing to take a minimalist deal to trade Harbaugh's rights to another NFL team if they think Harbaugh may go to Michigan?

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WolvinLA2

November 4th, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^

This matters, but only a little.  What it boils down to is whether or not JH wants to coach in the NFL or if he wants to come back to college.  Even if he's let go in SF, he'll have options in the NFL so if he wants to be an NFL coach, it matters little to Michigan if that's in SF or somewhere else.  

Now, if you're on the fence, being gainfully employed with a good team is different than needing to look for a job and move your family anyway (though it's possible Oakland goes after him).  The bigger factor is that SF is likely not making a Super Bowl run again this year.  If JH thinks he has a shot at a Super Bowl, he won't leave until that season is over, which might be too late.  The 9ers losing makes everything more possible.

But my opinion on this is if Harbaugh wants to come, he comes, and what SF decides to do with him come December will have very little if any impact on that.  

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WolvinLA2

November 4th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^

But he wouldn't live in Oakland.  He would almost certainly remain living in Palo Alto where he's lived for almost a decade.  The coach doesn't have to live in the part of the city where the stadium is located, you know that, right?  Do you think the manager of the Yankees lives in the Bronx?  Or the manager of the Mets lives in Queens?

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KC Wolve

November 4th, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^

Fair point I guess, but I still don't buy this as a reason. Sure, if you are a coach and a team hires you in a place you want me to live, awesome. That is very rare though and any coach understands that they are hired to be fired and will be moving at some point in the NFL. He may go to Oakland, but he may also get fired or leave that tire fire in a year or 2. Then what?

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WolvinLA2

November 4th, 2014 at 4:44 PM ^

Here's why - he has two kids who live with his ex-wife in SD.  I'm not 100% sure how old they are, but I believe they're in HS (he has a third child with said ex, who is out of college).  So he might just want to stay in CA as long as his kids from his first wife are in school, which may only be a handful of years.  The older they are, the easier it is for him to move away from them.  

I agree that it's rare for a coach to be able to take a job where he wants to live.  But if he has that option, is very possible he might take it.  

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Danwillhor

November 4th, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^

but that's what I've been saying is likely the biggest hurdle. Correct me if wrong but he has a wife that he lives with and has children with ALONG with an ex that he has at least one child with on the area. Also correct me but I believe he is very much in the life of his said first child/children. It's not just his current "live-in family" he'd be essentially moving as he'd be leaving behind others. Not saying he couldn't fly out our vice versa but it has to be an issue.

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