CC: Joe Pequeno (who helped to break contract details) Says Sources Confirm Harbaugh to Michigan

Submitted by plisar on

This can also serve as our daily morning Harbaugh open thread:

Source close to Michigan Program told me unless he changes his mind, Jim Harbaugh will leave the 49ers to become the new Michigan Coach.

— Joe Pequeno (@JoePequenoCBS5) December 23, 2014

One would imagine this may set off national dominoes, as he was heavily quoted as the source for the contract offer.

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xtramelanin

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:31 AM ^

halleluiah, halleluiah, ha-laay-a-lu-ya!

(sung to that famous choir melody.  you know which one i'm talking about)

Joined: 12/09/2014

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Auerbach

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:32 AM ^

Why do these reports always come with the "unless he changes his mind" caveat? That's always a factor in any decision process. Why is it necessary to point it out here? I don't recall that line being tacked on to reports of Urban going to OSU or Kelly going to Phili, just to use two recent high profile coaching hires as examples. Why is it necessary here?

Joined: 12/15/2014

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Moonlight Graham

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:35 AM ^

Because those two were not considering other options. urban wasn't also considering going to the Browns and Kelly wasn't also weighing going to USC. Harbaugh is reportedly considering the Raiders at least and other offers may still be coming in. It's a huge caveat with Harbaugh.



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sierragold

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:34 AM ^

Why would he field the NFL offers (not the $$$$) he wants Michigan? I don't think it is about the money and his heart is MICHIGAN. Just have to be patient for 1 week. I will admit I done all of my Christmas Shopping online this year, being on Harbaugh watch and all.

It's "CHRISTMAS"

Tis' The Season To Believe!

Harbaugh is coming home!

Joined: 10/03/2009

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Auerbach

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:36 AM ^

Lol at you guys citing some random twitter dood with 700 followers. *I* have more followers than that and I'm a nobody.

Joined: 12/15/2014

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The Reeve

December 23rd, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^

There is a fundamental difference between this year and 2011. Into 2011, the search was conducted haphazardly, and, if reports are correct, the back channel communication had to be rapid--within a couple of hours time--and unofficial. Plus we're getting the feelings of Michigan people--we have no idea if Harbaugh ever seriously entertained the idea! Given the timeline, it seems unlikely. I think we all can agree that Harbaugh wanted to coach in the NFL, was driven to test the NFL.

This year is different. This year the contact has been official, the offer has been exceptional--making him likely the highest paid college coach--the expectations of family and friends are that Michigan has done everything right this time, and it would be an act of unimaginable disrespect and cruelty if he were to flip for a few dollars more at the 12th hour for a marginal opportunity.

By this, I mean that in 2011, his trajectory was into the NFL, there was no serious courtship, and therefore no disrespect when he followed through with San Francisco. In 2014, with his father, former teammates, all the Michigan illuminati eagerly expressing their appreciation in both words and dollars, it would be critical for him--if the NFL were still a serious option--to provide an escape hatch in the form of caution to the Michigan side of things. No such feedback exists. The Michigan people are unified and giddy and excited. Otherwise, it would be a public relations disaster of unimaginable scope at his beloved University.

Joined: 09/26/2013

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Frank Booth

December 23rd, 2014 at 8:30 AM ^

Too many sources. Too many percentages. Rampant speculation. 14 year olds blogging and tweeting. NFL insiders vs Michigan insiders. Rumors of new house, ties, airplanes, HD equipment. Jiminy Christmas! I can't wait for this to be finished!

Joined: 12/20/2014

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John Harbaugh

December 23rd, 2014 at 8:32 AM ^

We are so far into this that there is ZERO chance he changes his mind. 24-48 hours after the wrap of the NFL regular season, we will have a new HC, the one we have all wanted for months and months. Its nice to finally see the University get on the same page as the fans. Feels great to be heard! Lets start the process to end the dark ages at The University of Michigan.

Joined: 10/31/2014

MGoPoints: 1918

The Reeve

December 23rd, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^

While I won't say zero, I agree with him in spirit. This is not 2011. Then, there was nothing formal, no time, everyone knew Harbaugh was eager to try the NFL. This time, the situation is opposite - very formal, lots of time, NFL tried, expectations from people who he values.

If Harbaugh hated U of M, he'd be a risk to change his mind. If he's interested in the NFL still and he even remotely likes and respects U of M and the people, he'd be hedging expectations hard through back channels because 1) he's a decent man who loves Michigan and doesn't want unrealistic expectations, and 2) he might one day want to come back to Michigan and doesn't want to burn bridges.

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UMClassOf2018

December 23rd, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^

Not sure how much this adds, and I know you guys probably don't think this is reliable (which is totally understandable because I wouldn't find a post like this reliable either), but a close friend of mine has a cousin in the athletic department and says a deal for Harbaugh is all but done. Somehwere between $6.5-7 million a year (he wasn't exactly sure), and Harbaugh could pick the years on the contract, which will probably be 7 or 8 (which is why Bacon said the money of $49 overall was correct, but the 6yr was not on the report of the original contract offer). 

Again, I know I didn't provide much more than what has already been provided, and that this definitely is not viewed as a reliable source, but it's what I know and can provide, so I figured I would.

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