Tweet from Harbaugh friend Todd Anson revealing concern with no deal done yet
https://mobile.twitter.com/TJA4Michigan
Hopefully my title is adequate. Didn’t want it to sound like Clickbait but I also wanted to reveal the context of what he said. Anyway, Todd Anson is a Harbaugh super pal. He has seemed quite confident throughout this that he would remain in Ann Arbor. Now it seems as if he has some doubts.
This has been a very strange couple of weeks. Both Webb and Balas have been saying it’s a virtual lock he stays, and hiring Elston last week seemed like it closed the door for most people around here. Yet Pro Football Talk is still reporting he is reaching out to teams as of yesterday and I know a couple people on here have said he will take any NFL offer.
I certainly hope he stays, but if his heart is in the NFL I wish him the best of luck and hope we can find out sooner rather than later.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:08 PM ^
Pro Football Talk is. not. a. reliable. source.
Anson's uneasiness is a much more significant source of concern.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:16 PM ^
And as Anson and Bacon says, if Michigan doesn't get very serious about NIL, the way Ohio("largest NIL fund in the country") and other schools have, why stay? It's a thankless losing battle that stacks the deck against him more and more as time goes by. Just to be 50/50 with Ohio moving forward is going to be incredibly tough, if not impossible if Ohio does commit to NIL seriously.
College Football is now like European soccer, spending has no cap, there is no draft. You'll have the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter, PSG on top of their leagues all the time. AKA the big spenders. Does Michigan want to be one of them or not?
Any NFL team that wants him as head coach would have reached out to him via backchannels by now, and he likely knows the offer details. IMHO If he didn't like those offers he would have re-signed by now, so the fact he hasn't means he's waiting for the offer to be official. Or maybe just waiting for them to lose a playoff game.
January 17th, 2022 at 3:07 PM ^
Your general point holds, but using Barcelona to make it isn’t really useful at this point given that Barcelona has spent itself into oblivion.
January 18th, 2022 at 3:28 PM ^
Neither is using man United. Lol
January 17th, 2022 at 4:07 PM ^
I remember Harbaugh's comment in Bacon's book: It's hard to beat the cheaters". Problem does not exist in the NFL
January 17th, 2022 at 5:17 PM ^
MDubbs I’m not try to be funny, but are you serious?
January 17th, 2022 at 8:17 PM ^
Bacon said NIL is overblown...
January 17th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
I'm hoping that this is just a surrogate applying pressure to improve NIL. It's precarious for us to interpret from the outside things that are intended to be understood only by those on the inside.
Just grateful for what we had this past year. We're never guaranteed another like it.
January 17th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
This was my take. No one in his inner circle would publicly comment without his approval.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:57 PM ^
The administration is wrapping it's head around the Pres getting canned for shtooping subordinates.
I don't think the NIL deal for the football coach is in their periphery right now.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
It should be. Michigan Football and Athletics is a worldwide brand touching millions.
January 17th, 2022 at 3:42 PM ^
Michigan the university is a worldwide brand that touches tens of millions and is worth billions.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
Well Michigan Athletics touches tens of millions plus one.
January 17th, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^
Hopefully JH has an offer in hand to make him the highest paid coach in college football.
I'd argue that he should have received something like that at some point during the season.
If he leaves, every one of you that was calling for his head a year ago share in the culpability.
January 19th, 2022 at 2:14 AM ^
Oh no, if this happens I will never forgive myself for being the reason Jim Harbaugh left! The end is nigh! Get a grip.
January 18th, 2022 at 7:34 PM ^
Here's what we know:
JH is currently under contract at U of M through 2025 or 2026 I believe
JH renegotiated his contract last year with a reduced base salary to include several million dollars in performance incentives.
JH has never stated he wants a new contract.
Warde has never stated JH wants a new contract.
JH donated his incentives earned in 2021 to those who were financially harmed due to Covid within the athletic department.
JH has stated he loved his job and would do it for free.
JH parents live very close by.
JH has young children in local schools.
JH has a son on staff at U of M.
JH recently hired a new DC.
JH is currently on the road recruiting for NEXT YEARS CLASS.
JH has never mentioned anything concerning the NIL program at U of M and has made zero indication he has issues with it.
JH has NEVER indicated he is interested in returning to the NFL and has in fact made it clear in the past he had no interest.
Sam Webb (the following is also intended for all other snake oil salesmen such as John Bacon, Chris Balas and the millions who are making money by making false claims about JH) has a business that needs to have people visit his various social media sites and he is paid HANDSOMELY when this happens.
Sam Webb makes statements on his social media account that are intended to drive traffic to his sites which in turn generates more revenue for HIMSELF.
Sam Webb does not have and never has had ANY inside information.
Sam Webb likes to make others believe he has inside information.
Sam Webb has been wrong the majority of the time about anything concerning JH going back to before JH was hired.
JH has only made one statement concerning the rumors circulating, saying to the effect "I like the rumors better this year than last"
JH has never as far as I am aware made false or miss leading statements about his employment anywhere he has been employed now or in the past.
JH although I am not the biggest fan is anything BUT one to manipulate or leverage for his personal gain.
Bottom line, JH is not going anywhere and every single other individual is simply trying to make money buy using his name and dispersing lies about JH because JH has SAID NOTHING and that is the only person I will believe at this point. The rest are just snake oil salesmen trying to get you to buy their sugar water and sadly most of you fall for it.
Thank you,
PEACE!
January 17th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
I kind of feel the same. For how long this is taking, it feels like we are his backup plan and he is just waiting to see if anything opens up in the NFL first.
Doesn't feel good to be the backup plan.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
I’ve been my wife’s back up plan for 20 years. Keeps me on my toes.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:36 PM ^
Reminds me of an old episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.
Deborah - “I made a plan to get back at my ex boyfriend.”
Ray - “What did you do?”
Deborah - “I married you.”
January 17th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
Or the U is dragging their feet about getting on equal NIL footing with other "power" schools. I think that's the one thing he's hung up on, based on everything I've seen publicly posted.
We'll know soon enough. And if the U lets him get away, I'll have a really hard time maintaining my level of fandom.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:05 PM ^
It doesn't. That's true. But I have to say he's earned the right to see what his options are, if any. And if he comes back, I don't think he'll be any less enthusiastic or hardworking.
If his only option was coaching a Pop Warner team, he'd be totally obsessed with that.
January 17th, 2022 at 7:30 PM ^
You understand JH perfectly!?
January 17th, 2022 at 3:44 PM ^
If we are then I hope he gets an NFL job and moves on I don’t want him to leave but if he’s not happy here and wants to leave then he should. I really want a coach who’s not looking to see if the grass is greener and wants to dedicate everything to UM
January 17th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
"I know a couple people on here have said he will take any NFL offer. "
You mean random mgoblog posters? Or actual insiders here?
Not sure I'm supposed to know who this guy is. Or what a super pal is.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^
Research Todd Anson then.
I don’t know if Sopwith considers himself an insider but he is one that has been adamant he will go if he gets an offer. Says his source is very strong.
So my point is that it’s strange how much of a divide there is. The UM insiders like Webb and Balas feel strongly he stays. Others seem convinced he will go if the NFL calls. Either way I hope we know soon enough.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
Webb is not an insider on this. He has stated so explicitly on the radio multiple times. So has John U. Bacon and most everyone else we usually think of as insiders. They are reading tea leaves and guessing just like the rest of us. Jim Harbaugh picked up a new courtesy vehicle. Check. Jim Harbaugh hired Mike Elston away from ND. Check. So he must be staying, right? No. It doesn't mean he is staying. Until Jim Harbaugh publicly says one way or the other, or signs a new contract, we are all just guessing. And that includes Sam Webb.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
I would consider myself a "this is the first time this has ever happened in my lifetime of Michigan fandom where I have a totally random-ass connection with a very insidery insider" insider.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
I know a very large booster (I used to work for him) and he knows nothing. I think the issue is Harbaugh doesn't know himself what he is going to do yet. And he already has a contract through 2025. He really doesn't have to do anything. Warde's problem is if he doesn't get Harbaugh to sign a new deal with a much larger buyout, the uncertainty will remain. What if Harbaugh wins the B10 again next year? Or even goes 11-1 and comes in second in the East? Warde created this situation a year ago when he gave Harbaugh a large pay cut and a low buyout. He needs to fix it. Tbh he should have seen this coming after the 2021 team started 6-0 with NW, IU and UMD still to go. We were clearly headed for a major turnaround season at that point. Warde should have had a killer contract on Jim Harbaugh's desk no later than the Monday after the PSU game. MSU did it with Mel Tucker. PSU did it with James Franklin. By not getting this done months ago, Warde lost control of the process. JMHO.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
^ yes, Warde did not see the timing issues, agree 100 percent ^
January 17th, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
Here is my question, has there ever been a case in sports history where someone had their contract reworked one year(paycut) then the following year have the contract reworked for the better?
January 18th, 2022 at 3:43 AM ^
Except that we have no idea whether Warde DID approach Jim at that point and offer to re-negotiate, or indicate that a new offer was in the pipeline. If that had been the case, Jim could well have suggested they wait. For that matter, they could have discussed the general outlines of a future deal, as well.
Too many vagaries, too much uninformed speculation. I just assume that Jim feels he owes it to himself and his family to flesh out the exact nature of any pending offers, and then decides. That will not happen on the anxious timetable of mgoposters.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
Todd is not revealing any concern. He just does not know.
I mentioned last week that my conversations with my contact that Ravens showed that for the first time Jim is giving NFL serious thoughts. Also, I was told that he could leave if he thinks there is a team out there who has a good chance of winning the SB and he can get along with the owner and manager (winning the SB vs winning the CFP). Finally, I was told that this is going to last 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately, I do not have any new updates.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
If it's going to take 2-3 weeks, I guess we could speculate on whether or not any of the playoff teams may have a coaching vacancy after their season ends?
January 17th, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
Watch the Raiders. If they let go of their interim HC (who both their best offensive and defensive players want them to retain) I will be VERY nervous. They have cap space, a strong roster, the GM is basically a lame duck (was handpicked by Gruden so he's expected to be let go) and Jim has a strong personal relationship with Mark Davis the owner.
FWIW I have zero inside info but I absolutely believe Sopwith. If he gets an offer he likes I think he's gone.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
he's not going anywhere. he's home. and you don't hire D-line coaches the week before you leave.
there is certainly a non-zero chance that he might go, but i highly doubt it.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:11 PM ^
Unfortunately you don’t know that. And Elston reached out to Michigan. What’s Harbaugh going to do? Say, no you can’t coach at your alma mater because I’m going to listen to NFL offers?
January 17th, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
TK, let me be clear and say you are absolutely correct re: 'you don't know that'. but i'll be very surprised and disappointed if he goes. i think he's home.
EDIT: and i'll add that your post just above this one about the new d-line coach also makes it seem unlikely he's leaving. unless there is some secret stuff going on b/w harbaugh and elston and he told elston that there's a real chance he's leaving (and assumedly elston gets to keep the contract money) then it would be totally against all the character i know about harbaugh to leave.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:53 PM ^
+1 because it's what I want to hear
January 17th, 2022 at 4:53 PM ^
Why do you not hire people right before you leave? It’s a cutthroat business, and there’s a chance he stays so he’s going to make sure if he does stay it’s a good situation. If it’s a 50/50 he stays or goes situation and he has to offer elston last week to get it done he’s going to offer him and then make the decision.
Hes clearly waiting to see the offer he would get from the raiders and then compare that to Michigan. Anyone who is confident one way or the other on this is mostly lying to themselves.
January 17th, 2022 at 7:04 PM ^
I mean you certainly can hire people right before you leave for another job, and I'm sure it has happened before, but typically it is pretty uncommon for two reasons:
1). most newly onboarded coaches/employees want to know and will openly ask their hiring manager about their job security and if it's reasonable to expect they will stay with the organization in the near term as long as the organization is willing to have them. Most people would not accept a job if they thought there was a significant chance the person that hired them will be gone in 30 days. 2). in close professional networks like high level football coaching, where relationships with other coaches are extremely valuable, deceiving or misleading people is one great way to destroy your reputation with other coaches which could ultimately hinder your career. In short, it's self-sabotaging.
So I think for those without any knowledge of the specifics around what's going on with Harbaugh weighing his options (i.e. pretty much everybody), they are perceiving Mike Elston joining the staff as a positive tea leaf because it's a reasonable assumption that Mike Elston would want to know where Jim Harbaugh thought he would be in the fall of 2022, and what his confidence level was about that answer.
If Harbaugh's answer was anything other than "the University of Michigan" and "very confident", then Elston more than likely would not have accepted the position. And it's assumed Harbaugh would give Mike Elston - a fellow former UM football player and highly regarded position coach among the college ranks - a straight answer because he is a man with a certain level of integrity, and wouldn't want to railroad a fellow professional coach (especially one with a history like Elston's).
The reality is, nobody that's speaking publicly knows how that conversation went between Elston and Harbaugh. It's entirely possible Harbaugh told Mike Elston "we would absolutely bring you aboard, but just be aware, I have not come to a decision yet whether or not I will accept an NFL offer or return to Michigan next year". And maybe Elston was okay with that. Again, it would be uncommon, but certainly not impossible.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:14 PM ^
MGrow, now I feel bad about all the times I posted a pic of the Browns jersey with all the QB names crossed out.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
I don't think any remaining playoff teams gets a head coach opening but that timeline would make sense if the Raiders didn't or couldn't (?) bring in guys to interview before their season was over. Have to go through formal processes of requesting permission to interview candidates and a whole lot more red tape in NFL.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
That timeline doesn't necessarily mean a playoff team - it would include any opening where the team wants to interview a playoff coordinator. Even if someone wants to hire Harbaugh, they might not do so without talking to Daboll, Bieniemy, etc. as well. I don't think there's a particular rush until the NFC/AFC championship games end.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Several NFL teams with HC openings also have GM openings (e.g. Bears, Giants, Raiders??). If they want to hire a new GM first, hiring the HC easily could take 2-3 weeks or even longer.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:47 PM ^
Note that my contact said this last week. So, "2-3 weeks" means about one more week still left.
January 17th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
Yes, in my close reading of the 'shrugging emoji', I agree.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
If its about winning an SB vs the CFP, then he's as good as gone! He has been far closer to winning an SB than a CFP.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
Do you have a way to quantify, “far closer?” Is that closer to one game, or two? Pitiful.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:52 PM ^
For one he’s been to the Super Bowl and has never been to the CFP final, so quite literally that would quantify as “closer” right there.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
If its about winning an SB vs the CFP, then he's as good as gone! He has been far closer to winning an SB than a CFP.
For one he’s been to the Super Bowl and has never been to the CFP final, so quite literally that would quantify as “closer” right there.
So, either you have two handles or, you can read minds. Or, you could just have a problem with reading and or comprehension. Either way my statement, still stands.