Josh McDaniels might be on Raiders' radar ahead of JH now
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:11 AM ^
If Harbaugh wants to leave he should go. I'd much rather a coach who wants to be here.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:18 AM ^
While it's hard to know for certain after this saga just how much commitment we'll get from Jim from here on out, this late in the coaching cycle it would be a colossal problem imo to lose him now in this instance. We're not even sure what Warde's contingency plans are.
If they involve just elevating a former player here in Mike Hart who's just a position coach, as much as I love him, I'd probably have to throw in the towel as a fan
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:17 AM ^
Yes we know. It will be Gattis promoted to HC. There's no behind the scene coaching search. I guess if Harbaugh leaves, we will see how Gattis works out as HC over the next couple years.
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:05 AM ^
Wow...really??? As far as I can tell, everything Jim is doing here is in the interest of what is best for both himself and Michigan. This saga may drive the fans crazy but so far there is nothing we know that informs us that Michigan football is being compromised. A good recruiting class remains intact and only Nua has left.
Personally, I believe the "delays" here are a harbinger of good things to come. My concern level for the well-being of this team is very, very low.
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:52 AM ^
It's people like you creating this "saga". Also, why would any of us know Manuel's contingency plans?
January 22nd, 2022 at 12:21 PM ^
It is becoming a pretty unwieldy saga at this point, and if Harbaugh is indeed returning and it's a done deal, I hope the lack of announcement is because of the Schlissel situation. At least that seems to have some strategic purpose for the university.
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
Would that mean you stopped posting on MGoBlog?
I'm mean, in this scenario, you're not a fan anymore...right?
*crosses fingers*
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:10 AM ^
Yeah, like Brady Hoke!
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:10 AM ^
So you'd prefer Brady Hoke. Okaaayy.
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:59 AM ^
I mean, he's not wrong.
If a coach doesn't want to be here, why wouldn't this situation simply repeat again at the end of next season?
Whatever happens, happens...just hoping there's resolution one way or another, sooner rather than later...
January 22nd, 2022 at 5:36 AM ^
If he wins, he will be desired in other places. Nothing is wrong with that. He has yet to state he wants to be somewhere else. People are ready to run him out of town just off internet conjecture.
January 22nd, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^
It’s not all conjecture. All the leaks are coming out of his camp, and he could have put an end to the reporting by simply saying he’s committed to Michigan. He knows rumors and reports are rampant, and that such things are destabilizing, but he’s remained notably silent. His silence also jibes with the NFL coaching searches. He’s clearly testing the waters. And it’s annoying when this happens so frequently.
January 22nd, 2022 at 10:48 AM ^
Seems like that’s a pretty big assumption on your part saying leaks are all coming from his camp. Any proof of that?
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:02 PM ^
I wouldn’t necessarily call it proof, but this is exactly what Chris Simms is claiming. He basically said he knows a lot of NFL people and nobody is talking about Jim Harbaugh. The only people mentioning his name for NFL jobs are people from Harbaugh’s inner circle. - Simms clearly doesn’t like Jim, but I think he believes that the NFL interest in Harbaugh is one-sided. -Good for us.
January 22nd, 2022 at 3:08 PM ^
If Chris Simms is your “proof,” then I rest my case.
Florio and Rap have been all over Harbaugh to NFL rumors, so there goes your “only people in Harbaugh’s inner circle,” claim. Not to mention, who in Harbaugh’s inner circle has mentioned any of this? Another assumption with no proof?
If your argument is that the source of this is coming from college people, why are you assuming it’s coming from Harbaugh’s camp? Could it not be rival coaches starting rumors?
Again, an awful lot of assumptions being made with absolutely nothing to back any of it up. Just opinions and guesses.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
Yes. Most of the “raiders” reports are coming from cfb reporters, not NFL reporters, and both the mgoblog and Athletic pods have posited this.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^
Florio and Rappaport were two of the earlier NFL reporters talking about Harbaugh to the Raiders. Feldman was the only CFB reporter I saw post it.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
I understand Harbaugh possibly wanting to test the NFL waters and everyone has to realize that is the case. This is his career and at his age he needs to know where he really wants to be. That means those who coach with him, his players, incoming recruits, kids he is recruiting now, fans, etc. If he had no interest in doing this and only wanted to be at Michigan, he could have come out and specifically said so. That would not hurt his renegotiation with Michigan in my opinion. Ward wants him and will offer the same deal.
For those who think this is not hurting Michigan, that is crazy. You think Josh Connerly Jr isn't letting this affect his signing decision? Go to USC where you know Rylie will be the coach or commit to Michigan where Harbaugh is trying to decide if he wants to be here or not? Same with Donte Moore. QB's typically commit early. Go to OSU where Day has said multiple times he wants to be at OSU or Michigan right now?
At this point, I fully agree with Nick Baumgardner on the situation. If Harbaugh decides to stay with Michigan, something needs to be worked out where from here on he squashes any of this leaving stuff down asap. It negatively affects the program and coming off a playoff performance that should not be the case. Heck, no other school that has made the playoff has had worse momentum than Michigan and it is directly tied to what Harbaugh is doing now.
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:03 PM ^
What leaks? Clearly testing the waters? Talk about conjecture...
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:40 AM ^
Harbaugh’s trying to win in a place with sky high expectations.
He’s competing against programs more willing to use the opportunities available to put their teams in better positions to win, with things like NIL, the transfer portal, etc.
Can you imagine an NFL front office telling a coach or coaching candidate something like while they know what’s allowed in free-agency and while they have the resources to participate, they choose not to because it’s beneath them?
Why should Harbaugh watch his biggest rival lure the #1 high school recruit out of high school a year early with NIL promises and then watch his biggest in-state rival essentially re-create its team each off-season with the transfer portal and just sit idly by, blindly grateful just to coach at his alma mater with these restrictions and limitations?
He’s not a jerk or a fool for what he’s doing or what he’s done. He’s playing 3D chess while a bunch of fans and unfortunately it seems some within the university are trying to figure out Candyland. And he’s doing what each of us would do (or should do) if in the same situation.
January 22nd, 2022 at 9:10 AM ^
All of these things are correct, but I'm struggling to see how this applies to the post you're responding to.
If Harbaugh doesn't want to deal with the college stuff, especially under the constrictions placed on him by this specific university, I completely understand, and he should definitely leave. I respect him as a coach and a person, and I want what's best for the football team. Having Harbaugh be in a place that he doesn't want to be, isn't good for either him or the football program.
That being said, I hope that he does like being here.
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:57 AM ^
He’s under contract and doing his job. Currently on the road recruiting. What gives you the impression he doesn’t want to be here?
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:31 AM ^
What gives anyone the impression that he hasn't been doing what he always has been doing? He never said anything. The university AFAIK hasn't said anything.
This was all drummed up by the media.
January 22nd, 2022 at 12:35 PM ^
I think the amending of his contract last year has led to most of this, as well as James Franklin and Mel Tucker getting huge contracts. After such a great season, the expectation is that Harbaugh would sign a similar contract, and it doesn't seem like it would take this much time to come up one that checks all the boxes.
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:58 AM ^
He’s under contract and doing his job. Currently on the road recruiting. What gives you the impression he doesn’t want to be here?
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:48 AM ^
Why do you assume he wants to leave?
January 22nd, 2022 at 9:36 AM ^
Two things can be true, 1) he loves it here and 2) the NFL is the highest level of coaching and his greatest aspiration if the right NFL HC comes along.
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:03 AM ^
Agree Catchafire. If he wanted to come back to UM, he would have signed after 25+ days of putting the school and its recruting in limbo. Um is reportedly offering him a good deal, top to bottom. I have no interest in UM being "sloppy seconds", nor should any UM football fan.
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
Need a tissue?
January 22nd, 2022 at 3:03 PM ^
MaizeBlueA2 - are you even a Michigan fan? Or do you regularly fellate Harbaugh? Do you care at all about the damage he is doing to UM recruiting (and the University as a whole) while he takes an undue length of time to find a compelling NFL job? Do you think that any recruit currently considering UM that has a remotely intelligent family would commit to UM during this limbo? If you do, I have a great used car to sell you.
January 22nd, 2022 at 4:25 PM ^
Typical ass-hat comment. Lighten up, Francis.
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:49 AM ^
You know it's possible to want more than one thing at once. I'd expect him to want to be here and at the same time want a shot at the super bowl. It would be weird if he didn't, honestly.
Not every college coach, obviously, but most probably "want" a chance at the highest level of football.
January 22nd, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
Quit the bitching and moaning. While people have been bellyaching that Harbaugh “doesn’t love Michigan enough,” he’s been on the recruiting trail trying to close out the 2022 class and get a jump on 2023.
Stop overanalyzing everything and demanding that he personally send you valentines.
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:53 PM ^
I agree IF said coach doesn't give 100% during the season. But by all accounts, Harbaugh was firing on all cylinders for Michigan during 2021. You could make a case that his flirtation with NFL jobs last year hurt us in the portal sweepstakes, but it seems like M has systemic disadvantages there anyway. Aside from that, 2021 brought us a pseudo-undefeated* regular season, a huge win over OSU, a conference title, and a CFP appearance. Also, he improved our coaching situations on both sides of the ball AND improved his own coaching performance over the course of the season.
If that's what we're gonna get, I'll take him seeking NFL jobs every offseason until he leaves.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:16 AM ^
Based on his Mile High experience, it sounds like a plan B to Yak.
EDIT: I just read McDaniels started his coaching career at Michigan State. He's used to bailing players outta jail.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
Great hire. He has a really huge laminated play-card, cusses a lot, and seems like a really likable guy. He's sure done a lot without a GOAT at his disposal. Drafted Tebow all on his own. I'd build my team around him for sure.
January 22nd, 2022 at 1:44 AM ^
Brandon Brown isn't as good of a source as others but I think Harbaugh would have left by now if he was going to leave.
January 22nd, 2022 at 4:14 AM ^
Definitely my sentiments, I don’t think Harbaugh would do a drawn out dog and pony show. Especially right before Signing Day.
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:39 AM ^
Harbaugh doesn’t have a say in that. If the NFL teams are doing a drawn out process, Harbaugh would be part of that. Or else he’s never leaving. Which, he may never leave. But if he has NFL aspirations at any point, he’s going to leave Michigan in late January.
and the “right before signing day” point really gets diluted when the class is virtually complete with 22 of our 23 commits already signed and we’re only recruiting 2-3 more guys.
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
True on the class - but the minute they leave the requests to be let out of signed letters will come, and if not then the one time transfers - the class could still crater.
I am with those on the optimistic side. I think Jim is just doing his job, on the road, and under contract so doesn’t see any reason to kowtow to the media to satisfy all of us.
January 22nd, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
But that’s an “if he leaves concern,” not a timeframe of him leaving (or announcing he’s staying) concern.
January 22nd, 2022 at 2:21 PM ^
Left already and gone where? NFL jobs are going to be open until end of January
January 22nd, 2022 at 5:39 AM ^
I don’t think any NFL head coach position has been filled yet. Will not start seeing positions filling up til the playoff teams start thinning out and the coordinators(Daboll, Leftwich, Etc.) of those teams can be hired.
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:48 AM ^
True, but whatever NFL team would hire Harbaugh has absolutely nothing to wait for. You can satisfy the Rooney rule right now no problem. Personally, since the Raiders have been done for a week, my feelings are the longer this goes the BETTER for us now.
January 22nd, 2022 at 8:55 AM ^
Sure they do have something to wait for. It is in an NFL team’s best interest to hire the best candidate possible. That means a thorough interview process, which often includes interviewing candidates who are currently in the playoffs.
If they know Harbaugh is their guy from Day 1, there may be nothing to wait for. But if they view Harbaugh on a similar level as other candidates, why would they rush it and not interview their pool of candidates and make the choice at that point?
January 22nd, 2022 at 11:50 AM ^
People from playoff teams HAVE been interviewing, hence why the longer this goes now, the better for us.
January 22nd, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
They can be interviewed, but I don’t believe they can formally be hired until their season has concluded.
January 22nd, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
Twitch, I am with you here. The Raiders have had a week -- and presumably if they knew they wanted Harbaugh, at least the initial offer would have been prepared. So, the longer this goes now, the more likely he stays.
From Michigan's side, I can fully understand waiting to sign/announce a new contract. The President just got shitcanned. The University paid out a big settlement to victims of abuse -- which some people may think is not big enough. Announcing a hundred-million dollar coaching contract on the heels of that isn't necessarily a great look. I'm fine with Michigan waiting a bit, assuming recruits/signees have been made aware.
Again, I am absolutely happy with Jim staying, assuming we get 2021 Jim and not 2019 Jim.
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:09 PM ^
Exactly... Bacon said the Schlissil thing had absolutely nothing to do with the delay but Bacon also admits every single time he talks about this that nobody knows anything and he's guessing at best. So whether the president getting canned had anything to do with it or not, the Anderson settlement is definitely something to consider regardless.
I was talking to an OSU buddy of mine the other day and he asked me what I thought of all this and this is what I told him. I said (objectively as I can) Harbaugh is many things, snarky, competitive to a fault, quirky, odd, but he's not a snake. He's a man of integrity. He donated his incentives, he marched with his players to show support of them, he writes handwritten letters to fans who reach out to him... so I could see him actually wanting to wait on this so as not to take away from the voice of the victims. Like Bacon, I'm guessing, but I don't see this out of the realm of possibilities. That's why everyone saying he was forced into this contract he's in right now, I don't buy it. For one, you don't force Harbaugh into anything he doesn't want. But I also could see he and Warde coming up with this deal to help out the athletic department in the time of covid and agreeing to revisit it at a later time. He loves Michigan and understood his results were less than desired but also wanted one more chance to make it right. I think he loves Ann Arbor and feels having his kids go to the same school as he did is very special to him given the nature of his profession. I said he's competitive, I believe he WANTS to win at Michigan, but I also believe he WANTS to win a super bowl. I think he sees his window of opportunity closing. How many times does the "perfect job" (i.e. complete control) come open? I believe he's torn but I also believe he loves Michigan so much that he won't just leave Michigan high and dry on a whim. He will make damn sure they are set to move forward without him before he leaves. But to be fair, this is all conjecture.
January 22nd, 2022 at 7:26 AM ^
It’s not up to Harbaugh “when” he leaves. It’s up to whichever NFL team decides to interview and offer him a job. In case you hadn’t noticed, NFL teams are still in the middle of their interview process and positions aren’t being filled yet.
I don’t think he’s going anywhere, but there’s absolutely no truth to anyone saying if he was leaving, he’d be gone by now. Nor that if he were staying, he’d have signed by now. The timeline of this is very irrelevant on both ends.