Warde Manuel: No contract talks until after the season
This was very noteworthy. A contract extension will not be discussed until after the season is over. And when pressed by what he meant by the end of the season, he said December 19th. I realize he wasn't going to talk about it today, but definitively saying nothing will be discussed until December 19th means no contract announced before signing day.
https://twitter.com/SamWebb77/status/1336420406484463616?s=20
Warde Manuel on reports of the discussion of a contract extension with Jim Harbaugh: "Jim and I will meet at the end of the year to discuss the program... that's where we'll be at the end of the season."
Warde Manuel was asked to clarify what he meant by "the end of the season" re discussion of a contract extension - he said end of the season means after the last scheduled game which is set to take place December 19th.
December 8th, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^
Eerily familiar to the way the Rodriguez firing was handled by Dave Brandon...
December 8th, 2020 at 4:44 PM ^
Stupid. Unless they have everything agreed to behind the scenes and are telling recruits that as such.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
So far we've heard he won't be fired, extension has been offered, lower salary, lower buyout, harbaugh eyeing nfl, ball's in harbaugh's court, and now no talks till after signing day.
I mean, who knows really, but to me this sounds like jim didn't like the offer and is planning an exit.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:44 PM ^
Well, if he intends on "negotiating", not having an 81-13 loss to OSU hanging over his head should help.
December 8th, 2020 at 4:45 PM ^
Didn’t Michigan already play the last game. They cancelled both games, not sure what would change between now and December 19.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:45 PM ^
The Big Ten crossover game is the last game.
December 9th, 2020 at 2:48 PM ^
These extra cross over games should be scrubbed. Given the COVID cases throughout the league, just have the title game in Indy and call it a season.
December 8th, 2020 at 4:46 PM ^
Festivus does begin with the airing of grievances.
"Jim, you can get the extension if you can pin me." -Warde
December 8th, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
Is Keith Jackson dead?
December 8th, 2020 at 4:51 PM ^
We don’t have all the info - but we have enough to say that this looks bad, really bad. Managing perception is an art / an art in which Warde is receiving a failing grade.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:01 PM ^
This is Warde firing him without saying it. It's a vote of no confidence that buys Harbaugh time to get things worked out with the Jets. It also lets current coaches finish up with their current teams since they can't announce they've said, "Yes," to Michigan yet.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:04 PM ^
This makes sense - if accurate, then it is understandable. But if not accurate - then this is a new level of failed leadership
December 8th, 2020 at 5:07 PM ^
I agree with tah15, this needed to get done this week if it was going to get done. He could have just said we're not talking about that today, to say it's going to be discussed after the season is basically setting the table for a departure. Helps everyone involved. Unless Warde just spoke without thinking, but I doubt that.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:07 PM ^
It also forces the Jets to negotiate the buyout while getting us off the hook for Harbaugh's final year. Warde is being smart! He's saving the University 6+ million from straight out firing him.
December 9th, 2020 at 11:50 AM ^
You know what amazes me about every single one of these prick coaches. They have soooooo much love for their school, or program, whatever. Yet not a single damn one of them say keep the buyout, don't worry about. What the hell is six million dollars to Jim Harbaugh, especially when he won't skip a single paycheck going right into his new gig.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:23 PM ^
Helps everyone involved except for the recruiting class UM will lose.
December 9th, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^
But if they are going to hire a new coach, that will invariably impact the class no matter what. They literally can't announce the new coach until that coach is done with his season. New coach = probably lose some current recruits.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:26 PM ^
I don’t think we know enough about how Warde operates to know what this means. There have been rumors all week that Harbaugh would get an extension but suddenly he’s going to be fired? I’m not sure.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:42 PM ^
So, "firing" is exactly the language they must avoid. This gives Harbaugh time to work out a deal with the NFL, save face, and save the University $6+ million of Harbaugh's final year. Plus, it forces the NFL to have to negotiate the buyout. We've been hearing exactly the "rumors" Warde needs to have out there so the NFL will move first. There was certainly an extension "offered," which helps Harbaugh gain leverage in negotiating with the NFL ("See they want me back, things aren't that bad.") But this is exactly what has to play out to move a former player legend out. Watch! Warde is saving this university millions AND getting us a fresh start with a fresh coach. You heard it here first.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:51 PM ^
That's logical enough. I just don't know enough about Warde to know if that's how he'd work. So far he's really only been in the position of hiring guys.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
This is crap. Just crap.
This. Rodriguez hiring and firing. Hoke Hiring.
I know at least one thing that isn't helping football. Our athletic department is inept and thinks that it's 1970. 'Oh, sure. Yeah we'll wait...We're Michigan. Everyone will wait.'
December 8th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
and once again, we find ourselves at the coaching carousel monkey rodeo
December 8th, 2020 at 4:59 PM ^
And the athletic department in regards to football continues to be so delusional on how the rest of college football and recruiting operates.
if my child was supposed to sign next week there is no way in hell I let him
December 8th, 2020 at 5:05 PM ^
The season is over now. Figure it out
December 8th, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
December 8th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
Warde said the season ends December 19th. So it's not over now and they won't be discussing it until then.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:12 PM ^
This is pathetic. Simply pathetic. NSD is a week away. We are dealing with a Covid outbreak. Leadership counts. And like Harbaugh or want someone new the current players and the recruits don't need yet another source of stress and instability.
This is horrible.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:22 PM ^
I mean the season has been over since October 30th. Weren’t all the games cancelled? I’m pretty positive I’m correct here.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:32 PM ^
This season never happened. Like Godfather III or one of those Star Wars movies that nobody liked.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
Only makes sense if Warde wants Harbaugh to leave.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:46 PM ^
Warde demonstrating some excellent vision
December 8th, 2020 at 5:55 PM ^
Turning a 1 day story into a 3 week story! The season is over now! Nothing will change in a week.
December 8th, 2020 at 5:56 PM ^
Clownshoes.
Either fire him while it's possible to find someone or reup him asap to save the recruiting class. Dragging out the uncertainty because of some arbitrary shit nobody in the world cares about is just....so Michigan
December 8th, 2020 at 6:03 PM ^
Perhaps they're shy about seeing each other.
In case that's the case, I offer myself as a go-between. I'd be happy to ask Warde if he likes Jim, and ask Jim if he likes Warde.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:04 PM ^
This foretells Harbaugh’s departure. Harbaugh avoids the spectacle of signing an extension before signing day, only to bolt to the NFL a few weeks later. He and Warde know that the season is over now. Declaring that discussions will only occur after the 19th invokes an arbitrary timeline. Warde is giving Harbaugh cover. If Harbs knew he was returning for sure, he would agree now so recruits would be reassured.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:59 PM ^
Exactly. A no confidence vote for sure. Look for rumors of assistants interviewing for other jobs.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:09 PM ^
Ok well at least theres a chance he gets fired right....right?
December 8th, 2020 at 8:00 PM ^
I don't think there's a snowball's chance in HELL that Harbaugh's fired, and I'm worried that so many people are weighing in with so little sense of realism. He'll quite, or move on, or fail to reach agreement on terms. . . anything BUT being fired, which looks awful for both sides and pits them as antagonists.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:23 PM ^
Posted in other thread but what if WM and Harbaugh have already agreed to part ways and they have the next coach lined up, but he won’t leave early due to commitment to current team. This extra time helps that coach and Harbaugh find NFL job and if new coach is good all M fans will look back and say “well played sir” despite losing a couple recruits.
December 8th, 2020 at 6:36 PM ^
Same Old Wolverines
December 8th, 2020 at 7:21 PM ^
You only say this if you have a verbal agreement in place with Campbell.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:07 PM ^
If you fire jim today or announce hes leaving, you have a team without a coach until after signing day. You wont be able to announce a coach until then 19thas at the earliest, What if the coach they have in mind wants to stay with there team until after the season is completly over, bowl game included. What if the the coach in mind is in the NFL. Then you still have to wait. Rather than have a team twisting in the wind,keep Harbaugh on as long as possible and try to preserve the class.
GO BLUE
December 8th, 2020 at 9:27 PM ^
A few more years of mediocrity. Hate to say it but getting used to it. No Big titles, no beating OSU, and the games with MSU will be nail biters. I’m 65. Will I ever see... ah, never mind.
December 8th, 2020 at 11:04 PM ^
I’m 30, and I’m wondering if I’ll ever see another OSU win. I know these things are cyclical, but the pendulum has swung so far in their direction that idk if it ever swings back.
Recruits today were 6-8 years old the last time Michigan beat OSU. Some weren’t even born yet when Michigan last won against OSU with their actual head coach. That’s a generation of recruits who only know Michigan as that loser school who can’t beat their rival.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:37 PM ^
Warde must not have watched many games this year. This season was over a long time ago.