Does Harbaugh relate to players in the "Harbaugh to NFL" drama?

Current U of M rostered players maybe.... Future U of M non rostered recruits probably not.... 

I personally don't have a problem with it. Ideally this new contract ends it for good but I'm not holding my breath..... I'm guessing Santa gave a little and Warde would not... All speculation and until we see the contract won't know. 

“I kind of avoided that question because I want him to do what’s best for him. I avoided that question,” Corum said. “I told him I support him in whatever he does, 'cause that’s how I really feel. I support coach with whatever decision he makes.” Blake The Great on Rich Eisen

I think they understand his situation better than fans. But they'll all react in their own ways too. Some will completely understand and support him. Others may feel quite differently. Parents too. 

Harbaugh was clearly trying to get a commitment from the university on NIL and paying assistant coaches. Players and recruits are going to understand and appreciate that. They aren't going to care about some minor flirtation with the NFL clearly used for leverage.

Harbaugh knows how to relate to players...

If your goal is to make it to the NFl, which most players envision,  there are not many college coaches that you'd rather play for or get advice from. He's experienced it all first hand and is well respected in NFL circles both as a coach and player. If your playing for financial reasons only and not because you love the game, you're going to clash.

JH most likely told the players that he was planning to be back, unless some thing unforeseen was to happen.   Unlike the crazy fanbase and media, they took him at his word and were okay with it.

how often do you hear recruits say things like, "I talk to coach Clink all the time, Coach Harbaugh too, they're always checking in with me"?

I'm guessing that JH didn't talk to any recruits any less during the last two weeks than he would have any other time, and he probably told them the same thing.

I think that the players appreciate and respect his never ending honesty - they must surely appreciate the lack of BS involved.  

This isn't a stupid post. What's stupid is the media and fans bringing this up every year. Nobody in the NFL has offered Jim Harbaugh anything since the Niners. Sure someone might talk to him, but it certainly never goes any farther than that. This isn't like a player deciding to go pro, Harbaugh would go pro in five seconds flat if someone offered, but nobody ever does. Let's talk about it again next year though. 

You are not an idiot.

I actually think Jim Harbaugh's and John Harbaugh's direct longtime connection to the NFL is an incredible asset for the Michigan program.  

I don't know why people don't discuss it more often.  They seem to know practically everybody in the league.

I think it depends on the player.  But most of them are probably aware that "coaching stability" isn't really a guarantee anywhere.  Sure, not every college coach publicly "flirts" with the NFL each year, but almost all of them would go abruptly and without a 2nd thought the instant they got a job offer.  A good portion of them will jump to another college program for a pay raise with little or no warning - look at Riley and Kelly last year.  The only real difference with Harbaugh is that he's actually plausible to GET an NFL offer, as someone who had real success in that league previously. 

I’m sure it causes uncertainty, but it clearly isn’t burning down the existing roster. A flurry of guys that could have been drafted announced that they were staying and a bunch of transfers committed, all before the tweets last night.

Thats not to say there aren’t some negative effects. Some think this just destroys recruiting; I don’t think it’s quite as bad, but it’s not exactly optimal.

But Harbaugh is also a pretty straight shooter and I think the OP’s suggestion that the players see this and understand it based on their own experiences is a very good point. 

not all college coaches have what it takes to win in the NFL..... right urban, nick, chip, bobby, matt, greg?

I think the players act accordingly around their coach with respect and honesty. And I expect that they get that back in return. 

You got an indication with Corum's announcement last week that he was returning for another season, that he didn't address the question of his coach's future before letting him know his. And it ultimately didn't factor into his final decision. 

Was Harbaugh actually planning to leave or was he simply giving the impression he might without informing anyone, let alone his players, because it only mattered if he did so? I have no answer for that other than his past behavior in honoring contracts and being forthright about his NFL intentions.

I think his kabuki theater act is only meaningful if you disregard the team-building that Harbaugh and his players claimed drove them and their connection to each other last season. 

If that's the case, then why give up a good thing without knowing whether you can't get it all back. Harbaugh hasn't given anyone but doubters the idea that he would leave. El Dorado or steak knives, the players are all in on this year's sales competition. Maybe their coach will follow after he signs on the line which is dotted. 

And just like that, there hasn't been anything new in the media regarding to possible recruiting violations and Burger-Gate.

Harbaugh seems "real" almost to a fault, which is why this year him telling recruits he planned on being back at UM felt genuine.  Last year he was telling guys he was looking at the NFL; this year felt more like "I want a better contract so I'm going to use leverage from NFL openings".  Seems like the players respect that about him and that's enough for them.  I think as fans we feel more powerless because the dynamic is one-direction; we don't interact with the coaches or players outside of Saturdays so it feels like sudden changes in behavior hit harder.

Of course. Personally, I just don't see why the guy looking around at his options when he's at the height of his career and value is really objectionable or even too much of my business. 

Man, I swear it is getting really hard to troll Harbaugh with a straight face.  I welcome anyone to try.

The guy is arguably one of the best football coaches ever, full stop, in terms of turning around numerous programs and taking them to the highest level multiple times.  I can't say I have seen any other coaches do it that often.  Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, Vermeil, Reid, Shula, Pete Carroll.  Jim Harbaugh is on that list and probably at the top if you factor in the number of programs he guided to the top.    

His one questionable season was during a full blown isolation pandemic, which is basically a toss out anyways.