snarling wolverine

December 29th, 2020 at 12:59 PM ^

But who would be getting rid of him?  Manuel?  It's not normally the AD's role to hire/fire assistant coaches.  If Harbaugh's status were up in the air, and Brown had another year on his contract, normally you would expect Brown to remain on the staff and the next coach would make a decision on his status.

The most logical explanation is that Harbaugh made that call.  That he was allowed to make that call means he will return.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98376

blue in dc

December 29th, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^

If Jim Harbaugh’s contract were not up in the air (e.g. it was 100% certain), the most logical thing would be for him to have a signed and announced contract.   The fact that he doesn’t seems to suggest it is less than 100% certain.  I could imagine at least three different circumstances that could explain the manner of Brown’s firing.

1. Harbaugh and Manuel are having amicable discussions but their are still some sticking points.   Maybe for instance they don’t agree on Harbaugh’s market value and have given Jim an opportunity to demonstrate it is higher by testing the NFL waters.   In this case it hardly seems certain that Harbaugh is coming back but they may have agreed that it makes sense to let Brown go.   Personally I think this is the most likely scenario.

2. Harbaugh and Manuel are having less amicable discussions.   Could still see them agreeing to let Brown go or could see either of them doing it to make a point.

3. Harbaugh and Manuel have agreed on a contract but for some unclear reason they haven’t finished it.   As in 1, they both agree that Brown should go.   Personally this seems strangest to me, because I can think of plenty of reasons to get the contract in place and none to delay. 
 

 

Joined: 01/22/2011

MGoPoints: 20401

snarling wolverine

December 29th, 2020 at 3:39 PM ^

I don't think the two discussed Brown's firing very much, if at all.  That's normally up to the head coach.  The fact that Harbaugh was permitted to fire Brown very likely indicates that Manuel has concluded that he should stay, and that it's purely Harbaugh's call what to do from here.  If Manuel were unsure about retaining Jim, he'd most likely tell him not to make any staff changes.    

I think Jim may be weighing his options for the time being, which may explain the reluctance to sign.  It may be that he wants better terms on the contract, or that he legitimately is looking at the pros.  Regardless, I strongly suspect the ball is in his court.  At any rate, he is continuing to perform his job as our coach in the meantime, which includes making staffing and recruiting decisions.  

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98376

JonnyHintz

December 29th, 2020 at 5:22 PM ^

I think it’s been pretty well stated the entire time that it is up to Harbaugh whether he stays or not. Warde isn’t going to fire him. He offered the lesser contract to either entice Harbaugh to pursue other offers, or to make it easier for Michigan to get out of the deal in the future. But it was always going to be “up to Jim.” 

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48443

JonnyHintz

December 29th, 2020 at 5:02 PM ^

It still can be Harbaugh’s call. Harbaugh is under contract next year. Harbaugh is coaching Michigan next season unless he decides to go to the NFL in the coming weeks. This isn’t a situation where Harbaugh’s contract is up too and he HAS to sign an extension to do anything.
 

Again, Brown is gone whether Harbaugh returns or goes. So what exactly is the point of keeping him while we figure out what is happening with Harbaugh? Whether Harbaugh or Warde does it is irrelevant. 

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48443

MGoStrength

December 29th, 2020 at 1:19 PM ^

The Don Brown move doesn’t make sense unless Jim is still coach and can hire/fire assistants.

In theory the DB firing was a necessary part of JH being able to negotiate his extension.  He clearly isn't being fired, but he may be being asked to make some changes going forward.  So, he had to unless he was ready to move on himself, which he obviously is not yet.  But, this still allows him to play the field with the NFL if they come calling and/or use any NFL offer as a way to negotiate better terms with UM to see if they are willing to improve their offer if the NFL is offering more.  Either way, JH leaving or JH staying, Brown was out.  So, JH was doing Brown a favor by firing him sooner rather than later to let Brown find another gig since he's gone no matter what happens to JH.  But, not firing any other assistants on the defensive side of the ball makes sense until a DC is hired to give him some say in who those hires will be.  So, I think it makes sense that JH still could go if the NFL comes calling, but that he's at least still interested in remaining the UM HC until he has something better and in order to do that he had to move on from Brown and give him a chance to find a landing spot.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

Swazi

December 29th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^

Chris is more willing to post rumors he hears from his sources, while Sam often would hear the same thing but waits on it for further confirmation and sometimes waits on the program to give the go ahead.

 

I believe Chris is the first one to mention that Jay would become just the ST coach, and Sam mentioned it around a week later.

Joined: 08/13/2010

MGoPoints: 11892

RandallFlagg

December 29th, 2020 at 12:22 PM ^

I’m sure there’s a contract on the table but it doesn’t mean Harbaugh has to come back.  If the Chargers offer Harbaugh and he wants to be closer to his first family then maybe Harbaugh decides to take the LA job.  I guess we’ll find out in a couple weeks after the NFL season is done 

Joined: 10/31/2020

MGoPoints: 4230

1VaBlue1

December 29th, 2020 at 12:32 PM ^

Jim's entire family is in Ann Arbor with him.  One of his kids attends UM, the two younger kids go to the same Catholic grade school that he went to.  His parents live next door.  His oldest son works for him.

But yeah, he owns a house in San Diego.  Big whoop.  How many millionaires own multiple houses?

Joined: 01/31/2016

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