Harbaugh back according to Schefter

Submitted by mzdmv on February 2nd, 2022 at 7:25 PM

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1489031932558069772

 

Jim Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings today, he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, “elated” to get Harbaugh’s decision.

UMxWolverines

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^

I dont get it. Other coaches are gonna use this as ammo every chance they get. 

Also I dont get everyone being so thrilled. This is like when George Perles would flirt with the NFL every chance he got just to get more money. 

bluemark428

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:13 PM ^

And just like that, the Vikings announce their HC. One hour after Harbaugh “changed his mind.” What a coinkidink!! God. There are who actually believe he chose to be here again.

WolveJD

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:23 PM ^

Two thoughts:

1.  Very happy.  Program stability is a good thing.  Avoiding a February coaching search is an even better thing.  
 

2.  The whole line about how Jim wears on people?  That seems reeeeeallllly accurate right about now.  Jim seems like a stand up guy by all metrics, but the last two weeks tested me (us?).  
 

Get Larry Foote for DC.  Then let’s start game planning for PSU, MSU and OSU with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind!

Twitch

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:10 PM ^

I've been saying to coworkers the past couple weeks that the sliver of hope I had that he's back is that he's pushing this as far as he must to get boosters and whatnot on board with certain amenities.  I have no sources, it was strictly a guess, but it made sense to me.

MgofanNC

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:40 PM ^

What was this all about? I don't really get it. Seems like Harbaugh put himself, the school, the team, and the fans through a lot of... something for basically what, an interview and the cost of some recruits... maybe. And to do all this on signing day seems unnecessary and weird. The whole thing is just weird and has me scratching my head. Seem like a made up situation where nobody really won. 

bluemark428

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:50 PM ^

One thing for sure, Michigan didn’t win anything from it. And now all of these guys who were upset today (rightfully) will now pretend Harbaugh is “all in” and turned down the job (it’s confirmed he wasn’t offered) and will not bring this up again until he starts losing games he shouldn’t (as he does every year). 

bluemark428

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:07 PM ^

Do you have Twitter? If you do, it is widely reported that he was never offered. There are a couple of reports that Harbaugh withdrew his name just before the offer went out (I don’t believe it, but I’m not going to ignore the report) but for the most part everyone is reporting that Harbaugh was never offered and never turned anything down. They announced their head coach an hour after Harbaugh called Michigan.

Wendyk5

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:32 PM ^

A lot of things can happen in job interviews. It's not always black and white. He could've walked in and they could've said, it's between you and another guy, show us why it should be you, and that could've rubbed him the wrong way, mutual parting of the ways. He could've asked for the moon, thinking what does he have to lose, and they could've said no, like he expected. Everyone's assuming he went in wanting the job because that's what the media has been reporting. How well has the media done so far with this? 

Mgobone

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^

So he just gives the tip....doesnt like how the strange feels and runs home to take a shower.... neg to Ukraine I don't have much to offer but this all feels like the Team got used. 

pinkfloyd2000

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^

In the end, no one knew anything. I love it. As Scott Bell said on Twittter (paraphased), well, he may be a weirdo, but he's OUR weirdo.

I couldn't agree more. Jim, way to "resign" with Michigan on National Signing Day. Well played.

Ginuvas

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^

Separate yourself from the emotions of this being about a university/program that you love. Coach had an opportunity to explore an advancement in his career. Sure, he’s been there before, but as the competitive person that we know him to be it should be no surprise that there was a draw to entertaining offers of chasing a Super Bowl victory. This is a huge part of what makes him a good coach and why we have loved him.

How many of us have been apart of an organization that we love or have made deep connections with, but are willing to listen/look for the next step in our career? Ultimately, coach has done it the right way. He was honest with the recruits that asked him about it. They were committing to him and he was honest in his level of commitment to them. There was no other way for him to entertain his options; people were going to find out about interest and interviews. He was not keeping people in the dark out of spite or self interest - he was simply seeing what was out there. In a 24/7 news world, it seemed like forever.

And how are people at all talking about money or the terms from the Vikings being the deciding factor? Sure, he has said that money is not a determining factor, but have his actions not proven that he is not simply looking for the highest compensation?

Jim Harbaugh is many things, but he has time and again shown that he is honest. If he says that he will be here as long as Michigan will have him, then I am inclined to believe him. I think that he saw this as a “last chance” to go to the NFL and win a Super Bowl. Maybe not literally his last chance, but he owed it to himself to at least entertain another opportunity. 

SMart WolveFan

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:36 PM ^

HaHa, he finessed you clowns, especially the "journos", played you like the 10cent fiddle.

And I bet he did it just to create crisis and replicate the beginning of last off season.

A mastery of motivation.

NJblue2

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:37 PM ^

I'm just glad I can go back to stressing about off season football things, like JJ vs. Cade, the defense, beating MSU/OSU, way better stresses.

Solecismic

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:56 PM ^

Harbaugh's been so focused on Michigan that he might not have been aware of how the Vikings have done lately.

In retrospect, it was a mistake for Zygi to bring a player with him to greet Harbaugh's plane.

"This would be your quarterback, Kirk Cousins. He only costs you $45 million under next year's salary cap.... Jim, Kirk... Kirk, Jim."

"Um.... Can you hold on a second? I need to make a phone call... Beam me out, please."

umfan83

February 3rd, 2022 at 12:05 AM ^

One thought I had:  when schools negatively recruit by saying Harbaugh will leave for the NFL, he can now say “I flirted with the NFL and I stayed. And I was honest and straightforward about my intentions at the time with recruits. Just as I am now when I tell you that I am not going anywhere”

Given how widely reported it was that he told recruits he was entertaining the NFL, the statement above should shut down any negative recruiting of that sort

bOttOmfeeder

February 3rd, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^

Accounts from the Minneapolis visit indicated that Minnesota expected to interview Harbaugh and Jim believed it was his job to take.  They didn't agree from the beginning.

Jim already had a prime job at Michigan, he left on his signing day (all over the media and risk to his recruiting) to go talk to the Vikings who weren't sure about him.   Harbaugh put everything out there, and the Vikings couldn't decide if they wanted him or not.

I can understand why Harbaugh went back to Ann Arbor.  The Vikings were waffling.   The Vikings had 4 seasons of NFL data, multiple college seasons of data, lots of people to interview, had time for meetings before Harbaugh came on high profile Minnesota visit.   What else did you want to know about this head coach?

They weren't in alignment.  Maybe Jim does need an agent and the Vikings missed their chance (good fit as coach or not).   It could have been handled better on both sides.   

Lots of work to still do in Ann Arbor.   Jim has a job and probably isn't interested in going thru another "interview" again for a while.