Some 49'er Opinons on Harbaugh
Mates,
Without going into TMI detail, oldest brother is long-time pals with Ronnie Lott and Joe Montana. Their kids grew up together, same schools, same sports teams, came to his wife's funeral a few months back, yada yada. Anyway, they are regulars and this past weekend got into the talk about Harbaugh. Both Lott and Montana were of the opinion that JH was more of an NFL guy and more likely to stay in the NFL (Raiders in particular) than come to Michigan. They also had insight into the reason JH is ticked at the 49'ers, and particularly the 'daddy's boy' GM who made in-house business into public team squabbles.
They think JH has done a great job and that the 49'ers were too cheap to keep some of their very best players, and that they have also had significant injuries that have made a big difference in the team's performance. This isn't a 49'ers blog so I'll spare you the rest of that.
I did not brace brother with all of the info we come up with here about how the tea leaves seem to be pointing to Ann Arbor - Brother gets a pass during the mourning time to say the least, but I did tell him my money was on JH coming back home.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:45 PM ^
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December 23rd, 2014 at 6:52 PM ^
but i can tell you that the last time i talked with ronnie lott was in my brother's kitchen at the wake for my sister in law, after i had given the eulogy for her, and ronnie was very gracious during our discussion. it was during the summer though, so pre-2014 michigan football meltdown.
December 24th, 2014 at 12:33 AM ^
December 24th, 2014 at 5:46 AM ^
was this summer at the wake. michigan football did not come up and as you can imagine it was a somewhat somber occasion despite sister-in-law's dying wish that we celebrate her life. brother speaks with them all the time, they invite him over even more frequently now because he is a widower/bachelor and they don't want him rambling around the house alone - big brother sees them at least weekly and also works out with them occasionally. This talk was saturday afternoon/evening at the 49'er's game - they were all on the field having fun before the game.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:46 PM ^
This is not even close to thread worthy. What a couple former 49ers players think means nothing.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^
Joe Montana's opinion on the 49ers usually carries a bit of weight. At the very least it's interesting.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^
Predicting where the guy is going to go because you know him is NOT the same as predicting where he's going to go based on any factual insider information.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^
Plus, did these guys know Harbaugh at Michigan, USD, or Stanford? The point being, he seems an "NFL guy" to them because that's all they have known him as. I bet anyone who knew him before SF would go on record to say he's a "college guy."
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^
those guys are plugged into the 49'er's organization still. there was lots more to the talk but it didn't center around JH so i omitted it. i would add that those are two of the more intelligent guys to ever play pro ball.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:11 PM ^
He is not staying in SF. It doesn't matter how intelligent they are. Why would Harbaugh or anyone in his camp tell them anything. There is a lot of ill will between him and the 49ers.
A thread isn't necessary everytime someone mentions his name.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^
he's staying in SF. it's just a question of where he ends up. and when they (ronnie and montana) are that close to the 49'ers, living legends and all, i suspect they might have dandy pipelines into the organization and a pretty special fraternity.
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:36 PM ^
... you have to remember than many active posters here are on Day 7 of a "Come Home Jimmy" vigil, watching for every shred of info like schoolgirls waiting for One Direction to show up in their town. Many have not yet started their Christmas shopping.
So that explains why some are criticizing your information, but have been hanging on every word of a random tweeter who has now deleted his account and gone into some sort of Twitter witness protection program.
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:51 PM ^
re: witness protection program, and i think your insight about some of our fellow bloggers being a little too wrapped around the axle is spot-on.
December 23rd, 2014 at 9:28 PM ^
and the title was solid enough.... chill.
December 23rd, 2014 at 10:37 PM ^
December 24th, 2014 at 1:58 AM ^
It's not thread worthy because it's not news that you want to hear, but if a couple former 49ers said that he was coming there would be 10 threads on the board and a posbang.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^
What they think about the state of the 49ers and whose fault it is is a little interesting. What they think about where Harbaugh will end up isn't. Of course they think he will stay in the NFL--they are NFL guys.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:51 PM ^
Similar to yours in regards to friends/family who simply can't fathom why Jim Harbaugh would return to college. That's another reason I want Harbaugh to return, because the look on their faces if/when I break the news to them that Harbaugh is returning to Michigan will be incredibly satisfying.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^
This is information we haven't gotten elsewhere, and regardless of the opinions that were reported re: 49ers players, it seems to me to be a very worthwhile thread.
Also, condolences to your brother.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^
Michigan J. Frog
December 23rd, 2014 at 9:52 PM ^
December 24th, 2014 at 7:41 AM ^
Just don't spend your meager life savings to put him on stage. It won't end well.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^
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December 23rd, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
NFL - Harbaugh's been there, done that. Going to another NFL team and turning it around would not give him the same satisfaction that going back to his alma mater and turning things around would. At his age, Harbaugh could easily right the ship at U-M, develop a successor, and still be young enough to go back to the NFL in six years if he chooses.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^
double post
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^
because both Messrs. Lott and Montana thought he was more of a pro coach than a college coach. The prevailing wisdom seemed to have it the other way.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:29 PM ^
talk about this subject I cringe because they don't know what they don't know. Not one of them seems to do actual show prep to know what they are talking about. I have heard, JT the Brick and others say. He has no connection to Michigan, he was born in Ohio and went to High School in California. Four years on the team aside, He grew up on the practice fields. You don't just jump on Rick Leach as a kid and give up those feelings as an adult. He went to High School across the street, he had talks with Bo from the time he was a very young child. I haven't heard word one of that. "Why would he want to go to Michigan?" Thats what they have to say. Asking a question but not knowing the answer isn't something you want from a talk radio person.
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:39 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:48 PM ^
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:54 PM ^
for your condolences. my brother lived through hell to care for his wife the last 2 years of her life (and what she went through is almost unspeakable). he is a hero for what he did and that is a legacy for his children they will always honor and know what you actually do in times like that is character, all else is just talk.
December 23rd, 2014 at 10:47 PM ^
December 24th, 2014 at 12:00 AM ^
He's coming here and that's based on numerous rumor boards. Whether he's more of an NFL or college guy is kind of irrelevant as he loves M.
December 24th, 2014 at 12:03 AM ^
The "too cheap" thing never flies in the NFL because it's very unusual for any team to be significantly under the salary cap. It just means they spent where someone thinks they shouldn't have.
December 24th, 2014 at 3:59 AM ^
December 24th, 2014 at 4:25 AM ^
He said she said, let's wait a week and we'll all know.
December 24th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
Interesting if true.
December 24th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
Also, here's hoping Lott and Montana are wrong about JH staying in the NFL.
I agree with some of the posters in that this coaching search cannot end soon enough...
By the way..........Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you alll....
GO BLUE................
December 24th, 2014 at 9:27 AM ^
Sorry for your Brother's loss. Go Blue.