Harbaugh contract update murmurings from @MichiganNation2

Submitted by Communist Football on November 30th, 2023 at 5:19 PM

Twitter's @MichiganNation2 has been one of the people working with StalBombs on putting out pro-Michigan Signgate information (or rumors, depending on your point of view). He tweets today that he believes the "terms [of the Harbaugh agreement] have pretty much been knocked out," and include listing Sherrone Moore as the HC-in-waiting; an increase in the assistant salary pool; and more NIL commitment.

More Michigan News:
Gonna give it to you straight no matter what regarding the Harbaugh contract talks.
-Originally was slated to be signed the week of Ohio State. At least that was the push. The suspension put that on hold.
- Now it's being said it could be done before…

— MichiganNation2 (@MichiganNation2) November 30, 2023
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MGlobules

November 30th, 2023 at 6:05 PM ^

I see Harbaugh moving to more of a Bobby Bowden, Nick Saban CEO role, where his assistants have a ton of lattitude. Would LOVE to know that Sherrone is CIW, because Michigan may be one of the few schools that can afford to keep someone of his caliber aboard without handing him the whole program. When I saw that 40-plus players had senior status, I felt pretty sure we were looking at a serious fall-off next year. We may be just fine.

Joined: 11/17/2008

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mp2

November 30th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^

Im not saying sherrone is muschamp, but wasn't he coach in waiting at Texas. Then he went to Florida anyway? Is coach in waiting just an honor thing? Sherrone says he'll stay until Harbaugh retires with nothing in his contract? Maybe Harbaugh says this is his last extension and communicates sherrone is next coach to recruits?

Joined: 10/17/2014

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dankbrogoblue

December 1st, 2023 at 2:55 AM ^

Coach-in-Waiting is definitely not a sure fire way to keep a guy if good opportunities arise, but it is definitely meaningful for him and the team.

Concerning Muschamp: I am inclined to believe Harbaugh and Sherrone have a better relationship than Mack and Will, but I’m speculating, but if a Florida caliber job came calling for Sherrone who could blame him?

Joined: 11/12/2008

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bluesparkhitsy…

November 30th, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^

It will be interesting to see how the coach-in-waiting concept will manifest contractually, but that would be a big win for everyone, especially if it has sufficient teeth to make it unattractive for Sherrone to consider any other offers (he'll surely get some).  This also could pay huge recruiting dividends:  When other schools peddle their annual Harbaugh-to-the-NFL rumors, part of Michigan's response is that it has an almost unique ability to guarantee program stability.

Joined: 10/16/2010

MGoPoints: 2442

MJ14

November 30th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^

Just responding to some of the stuff people have posted here in this thread and on that Twitter account. 
1) I promise Jim does not care a single oz about pissing anyone off. That’s an outrageous thing to say about this situation. He’s extremely upset over his suspension and not getting his day in court, but he didn’t want to be a distraction to his team. But I promise you he isn’t considering nor worried about the fear of pissing any random person off. 
2) Jim does not care about rebuilding. It’s the one thing he loves to do. People saying they believe he will leave because Michigan loses a ton don’t understand Harbaugh. Harbaugh built his reputation on building up programs and he loves developing new players. He enjoys the challenge of turning over a roster and getting the next guys to the next level. He will not be worried about the team next year, as far as being competitive. 
3) There is a serious chance that Jim could go to the Chargers. People fear the Bears are the big threat, but the Chargers are the ones who have reached out to Jim numerous times. They believe he’s the missing piece to a Super Bowl run. 
4) Last I heard, very doubtful anything is announced about his contract this week. Harbaugh does not like to discuss these things during weeks of preparation for games. If something was going to be announced it’ll be next week or after the season most likely. Harbaugh wouldn’t want something announced this week as it takes away from the team. He wants the focus to be on the team and not on him. Too much attention has already been paid to him and the “scandal” stuff this season. If there’s news he wants it to be about the players and crediting the team. I would be very surprised by an announcement this week. Obviously us fans want to hear something and believe it could help with momentum for recruiting and stability. With that said I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets announced after this week but before early signing day. Possibly the 2nd week of December. 
5) Lastly, head coach in waiting hardly ever works out and Harbaugh plans to coach another ten years. So these are the scenarios, Michigan wins a championship this season and Harbaugh then leaves. Moore is immediately promoted to head coach. Don’t need head coach in waiting if that’s going to happen. Harbaugh signs a 3 year extension with Moore getting HIC and Harbaugh leaves in 3 years to make one last solid run at the NFL. The current recruits get a promise that Harbaugh will be here for most of their tenure and then Moore will take over. Or Harbaugh is at Michigan for ten more years and Moore will get ridiculous contract offers from other schools to be head coach and eventually he will leave. Unfortunately, I do not believe Moore would wait 10 years for Harbaugh to retire. So basically HIC isn’t going to do too much unless Harbaugh tells Moore he plans to be at Michigan 3 more years and then finish his career in the NFL. Michigan may give Moore HIC title but it’ll just be another reason to give him a pay bump and a vote of confidence. I don’t see this happening though to be honest. I don’t think Moore will get an official HIC designation. And if asked about it I think Harbaugh will say he has numerous coaches that’ll be head coaches one day and the same basic stuff you’ve heard now. I think he’ll probably comment on the job Moore did as interim and say he believes he is ready for an opportunity but it won’t go as far as anyone saying he’s for sure the next head coach at Michigan. 

Joined: 01/09/2011

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aussiebluegirl

December 1st, 2023 at 1:20 AM ^

Question for you: I’ve heard the comments over the years that if Michigan won a national championship he’d 100% bail back to the NFL because he’d have achieved all he wanted to at college level, and would want another run at the Super Bowl.  I dont see that that’s a defining factor in what would ultimately drive his decision. What do you think?

Joined: 01/26/2012

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MGoHomeUrDrunk

November 30th, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^

Jimbo Fisher was HC in waiting under Bowden. From Wikipedia:

"He turned down an invitation from Nick Saban to join the coaching staff at the University of Alabama to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida State University, where he replaced Jeff Bowden, son of then-Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden.

His contract guaranteed a salary of $215,000 with incentives increasing the total package into the $400,000's.After his first season as offensive coordinator at Florida State, Fisher was named "head coach in waiting", making him the eventual successor for Bobby Bowden.The new contract paid Fisher around $600,000 per year with a $2.5 million buyout clause. The university promised to pay $5 million to Fisher if he was not made head coach by January 2011."

Joined: 01/26/2017

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Other Andrew

November 30th, 2023 at 5:36 PM ^

Maybe after coupla two-tree-four national championships Harbaugh will just get tired because it’s too easy and not feeding the demands of his competitive nature. So he’ll retire to dominate the bare-knuckle boxing circuit.

(Sorry, today I watched Rich Eisen interview Robert Smigel talking about the Daaaa Bears sketches, which warmed my heart.)

Joined: 06/30/2008

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4godkingandwol…

November 30th, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^

I hope that Harbaugh is thinking like this: I have cemented my legacy to a degree, however if I leave now, it could all fall apart. I will stay 2-3 more years, then go pursue NFL again. In that time, we will have the M program under Moore humming perfectly, and I will have done everything I can to ensure the program will be successful after I leave. 

Joined: 08/06/2008

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