Harbaugh Question

Submitted by sdogg1m on

Please forgive me if this has been discussed. Has the possibility been brought up that the 49ers let Jim Harbaugh out of his current contract if he agrees not to sign with another NFL team? It seems odd but it most certainly would be in their best interest as they don't want him but know him to be a good coach. Why would they want another potential opponent in the NFL to land him?

I remember a similar issue with Billy Donovan and the Orlando Magic. When Billy had a change of heart after signing, Orlando let him out of his contract but he had to agree not to coach in the NBA for X amount of years. I can't remember what.

If this is the case then it works out great for the University of Michigan as they get their coach and do not have to pay the buy out terms. 

Just read a Washington Post article quoting John Harbaugh believing Jim to be fired next week.

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Tater

December 24th, 2014 at 1:49 AM ^

AFAIC, he can bring Jim Leavitt with him, too.  Leavitt would be a major asset, especially for recruiting the South.  Leavitt did a great job of creating South Floirda's program from scratch before being forced out on the "abuse" charges, even though a Florida State Trooper witnessed the incident and said that it was Leavitt who told the truth and not the player involved.  USF eventually settled with Leavitt for $2.75 million, indicating that they felt they would lose if it went to court.

Leavitt has been an LB coach in college and the NFL, a DC in college and an HC in college.  His intensity almost matches that of Harbaugh.  I'm sure Jim can find a place for him.

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BlueCrowns

December 24th, 2014 at 2:03 AM ^

The fact USF settled doesn't necessarily mean they thought they would lose in court. They would look at the likelihood they would lose, the amount they would probably end up paying if they did lose, the amount they would continue spending on lawyers in the case, regardless of whether they won or lost, and the number Leavitt was willing to settle at. Looking at all of that, they would decide if it was a good idea to settle.

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1817

December 23rd, 2014 at 11:19 PM ^

Just watched another OSU supporting sportscaster say Harbaugh won't go to Michigan due to his itch for an NFL championship...Distinctly feeling the panic now below the surface from Columbus on our impending hire. When it happens I'll smile for a very long time.

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KBLOW

December 23rd, 2014 at 11:31 PM ^

If this goes down, I wonder how many other Universities will really go hard after successful pro coaches? Or is this just special thing due to the whole JH and Michigan story? 

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KRK

December 23rd, 2014 at 11:48 PM ^

I kind of liken it to the movement you see out of TV versus movies. There's a lot of great tv now and great actors are going to that for the money and because it's often better than movies. May see something similar in college especially if schools are willing to give up tons of control that the NFL GMs won't. Granted, I don't think you'll see Belichicks in college just like you don't see A list actors in TV but some crossover may start to happen.



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Njia

December 24th, 2014 at 8:24 AM ^

Actually, that barrier was broken by HBO. It is no longer taboo for movie actors, no matter how successful on the silver screen, to star in a cable series. Even producers and directors like Martin Scorcese, who produced the Boardwalk Empire pilot, have crossed over. The do it because the quality of the storytelling, production, etc, is as good or better. There is also more freedom in a cable series to explore a character. Creatively, that is a huge draw. I suspect it is similar for college and pro football coaches. The money is no longer the issue. If JH does become our coach and is very successful, winning championships, etc., I would bet that more NFL coaches give it consideration.

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M-Dog

December 24th, 2014 at 1:54 AM ^

The SEC is already a pro league, so there's not as big a difference as there used to be.

Sarcasm aside, if you can handle the recruiting aspect of college, the rest of it is getting fairly similar between college and the pros.

That still does not explain getting an NFL coach the level of Harbaugh though.  That's a special situation for us.

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bacon

December 24th, 2014 at 7:28 AM ^

NFL guys forget that some coaches like the level of control that college coaches get over their program and the relative freedom from higher ups like a GM. Additionally, the players are less powerful because they don't have huge contracts, so the coach can sit guys or whatever without fear of his boss complaining.

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Yostbound and Down

December 23rd, 2014 at 11:49 PM ^

Looking around the current NFL coaches, there aren't too many that seem to have ties to a specific school.

Bruce Arians (Arizona) played and coached some at Va. Tech so maybe when Beamer eventually retires he'd consider going back for a few years (was OC at Bama for a year too). He's 62 though.

Chip Kelly obviously just landed in the NFL but I could see him going back if he isn't successful in the next couple years. Not sure if it would be to Oregon again but he just seems like a college guy...although he has done pretty well this year, especially with Sanchez at QB.

Pete Carroll is a college guy also, but he's as old as Arians. Jim Caldwell is kinda a college guy since he coached Wake Forest during most of the 90s, but he's 59 and hasn't coached college in a decade.

It really does feel like the perfect storm if it works out. 

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M-Dog

December 24th, 2014 at 1:57 AM ^

Yes, I hope we don't take for granted how much Harbaugh is out of our league.  

It's only because of his previous conections here and because of Bo that he is even thinking of coming here.  

It's like we bought Apple stock back in1985 and put it in a drawer and forgot about it.  Now it's about to pay off BIG.

 

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