ESPN's Ian Fitzsimmons: "Harbaugh is more invested in Michigan than ever"
From his radio show on ESPN via Will Cain, on rumors Harbaugh would be interested in the Packers or other NFL jobs:
"I don't know if Jim Harbaugh is ready to leave his alma mater right now, a place that is very special to him, to jump back into the National Football League when he has an 0-fer next to his name against the team down south, and that would be Ohio State. And not having gotten to the college football playoff. So I would disagree, I think Jim Harbaugh is probably in my opinion having just seen him and talking to coaches on his staff a few weeks ago having called Ohio State-Michigan, he's more invested now in Michigan football than maybe he ever has been. Because that 0-fer stings, and I think that drives him more than ANYTHING."
You can catch the audio at the 33:06 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBVLAQvsEYI
December 7th, 2018 at 2:34 PM ^
Ian Fitzsimmons probably knows as much about Jim Harbaugh as Cris Carter. The answer to any question about his future should be that there's no indication that or any reasonable reason for Harbaugh to leave Michigan right now. Therefore it's not happening.
December 7th, 2018 at 3:24 PM ^
"having just seen him and talking to coaches on his staff a few weeks ago having called Ohio State-Michigan"
As long as Fitzsimmons isn't all coked up too, I'll trust he does know ....maybe a tad bit more.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:56 PM ^
I don't know if you can say he "knows", but yeah with Harbaugh's record against OSU and the lack of Big Ten championships and playoff appearances it's pretty easy to jump to this conclusion based of Harbaugh's personality.
December 7th, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^
I fail to see what his record against OSU or no playoff appearances means. He left the NFL without a ring--how do we know he won't bolt UM once he has them back at the same level they've always been (which he does, BTW).
I believe we do not live in the same world coaches and players do, which makes it hard for us to think like, or for them. We say what we REEEAAALLLLY want to believe--that he and his family love it here, he wants to be the next Bo, he wants to beat Ohio State 18 times in a row and win 32 national championships.
In the end, as these guys, who operate in a different stratosphere than message board guys or even reporters and media types, do what they want and need to do to feed their egos.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:34 PM ^
Water is wet.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:37 PM ^
He would be a pariah if he left now. No way is he going to do that. Hell, at this point I'd be happy with a single conference championship. If he left after that, I'd wish him well.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:58 PM ^
As someone who has never seen Michigan win a conference championship, I would take that as well.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:38 PM ^
The continuous rumor is a prime example of the laziness that has infiltrated the minds that operate mass media. What a lazy approach to take up more air time and segments. Could this be rebuked anymore than what it already has been? These hawt-takes and speculation fluffers need to do a better job of creating content.
December 7th, 2018 at 3:54 PM ^
Spot on imo. However, Chris Carter is still an OSU troll who just sez stuff.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:44 PM ^
As much as he has been paid, he may own half of the state. Of course he is invested.
December 7th, 2018 at 7:07 PM ^
I don't think he is at all motivated by money. He played in the NFL for what 12 years or so. Then went into coaching. He has more money than he can spend. So the arguments of Cleveland or Green Bay backing up the Brinks truck have no merit in my opinion. He is driven by either bringing a B1G title and then a NC to Michigan and/or a Super Bowl win. I think he is here until the former is achieved. Then and only then will he be a candidate for an NFL job.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:45 PM ^
It sounds like he's just speculating here rather than going off any real information. But his speculation is more likely to be accurate than Chris Carter's.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:47 PM ^
He's not leaving until he has a few OSU wins under his khakis.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^
I believe Harbaugh has no intention to leave yet and also no NFL team has him in their top 3 choices.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^
Cowherd had a take that made sense... for once... stating that the second JH heard the negative feedback about him, after the loss in Ohio, he told his agent to leak a rumor that he is interested in other jobs. Thus causing the UM BoT and Boosters to come crawling and apologizing for anything bad they might have said to offend him. And potentially offering some more compensation to keep JH happy and at home in Ann Arbor.
Honestly, good for Jim if any of this were to hold water.
Jim's not going anywhere if it's up to him. Why would he? He's our Pat Fitz... And he knows it.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^
I think what many of these guys forget (or just don't know) is that Michigan is not just Harbaugh's alma mater, it's where he grew up. He literally grew up with Michigan football while his dad was on staff. I've always gotten the sense that he really enjoys the fact that he lives (or lived if he's moved) in Bo's old neighborhood and his kids go to the same elementary school he did. I think his parents are here, and I think I read that all but one of his children are here. Leaving somewhere you lived and played for four years is one thing, but leaving your hometown is entirely another.
December 7th, 2018 at 2:54 PM ^
his mom and dad literally live on the same street...
he's runs the entire football program and is able to bring his dad along on any and all football related events.
and he has not won anything.
no way Harbaugh is leaving until he feels that he accomplished something of substance for his alma mater
December 7th, 2018 at 3:04 PM ^
he ain't leaving for nothing. maybe never, and certainly not for the next 5 years, minimum. he is home. the kids are home. mom/dad next door. he doesn't need the $ they'd wave at him. and he is not moving his large family until/unless they are grown and gone, and he has younguns. he is not going anywhere.
December 7th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^
If Harbaugh left now it would be weird, he hasn't been successful enough to consider it mission accomplished and he hasn't been bad enough to say that it's not working. Plus we have a good QB mix and you have to consider Urban leaving as a plus.
When Harbaugh left Stanford and the 49ers the timing made sense both times. Leaving Michigan now wouldn't.
December 7th, 2018 at 3:42 PM ^
Hes making 7 million dollars to be 2-7 against his rivals.
Why would he leave a cushy job to the NFL where they fire superbowl winners?
December 7th, 2018 at 4:20 PM ^
If you're referencing his brother, he won the Super Bowl in 2012.
The Ravens have made the playoffs once since.
December 7th, 2018 at 6:34 PM ^
Good one dumbass
December 7th, 2018 at 4:23 PM ^
Which is it? On one hand he is a hot coaching get for some NFL team, and on the other hand they also say he is not a good coach. #stiritup #justsaynotodrugs #hestaying
December 7th, 2018 at 4:26 PM ^
Good thing he clarified that Ohio State is “that team down south”
December 7th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
Bottom line is the Harbaugh clan feeds off of competition. It's their life blood right along air, milk and steak. Ohio State has presented Jim with a level of competition that must be translating into some serious life giving energy, and I'm confident he will rise to the occasion. Not to mention that leaving now or any time soon would leave a signficant scar on Jim's legacy. He has work to do, and he's going to get after it. Love our coach.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
Hmmmm Sources vs an opinion, which to choose,what a quandry. haha
December 7th, 2018 at 5:08 PM ^
Better question than Harbaugh leaving is when does Daye get fired?
December 8th, 2018 at 7:25 AM ^
about 11/30/20, right after his second consecutive loss to us.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^
Good, very good Jimmy.
Use that loss as fuel to propel the next Great Michigan Team.
December 7th, 2018 at 6:39 PM ^
It’s obviously too early to tell and Harbaugh wouldn’t like me saying it but he may have had the luckiest break happen a few days ago with Urban “retiring”.
Day is unproven as a head coach. He doesn’t even have a long record as an OC and it’s not as good as some of the other OCs that have gone on to become pretty good coaches.
I feel like next year we should have a good chance to win the game. Do that and lose one game next season pre playoffs and watch out for our football program. Big year next year with the schedule lining up with most difficult games at the Big House.
December 8th, 2018 at 3:39 AM ^
Harbs has lived all over the country. If you don't listen to the Harbaughs podcast you should because I think he seems to open up more there than maybe anywhere else in public. His pressers are extremely awkward and seem to always have been and always will be - I just think he cant stand them and that is why. The podcast makes me think he is very content exactly where he is. His daughter just enrolled at M and is playing on the water polo team.
Green Bay job probably comes with a certain amount of prestige because of their history. Cleveland seems to be where all NFL careers go to die, most before they even start. Neither of those places has anything on Ann Arbor and being top dog at UofM.
December 8th, 2018 at 8:23 AM ^
JH will be here a very long time.
December 8th, 2018 at 8:34 AM ^
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home making $9M per year
There is no place like home doing what you dreamed of since you were a kid
December 8th, 2018 at 8:27 PM ^
Beat OSU Harbaugh, then we will invest in you
December 9th, 2018 at 6:50 AM ^
next year Harbaugh gotta win it or else