Bacon Tweets Harbaugh Extension: Process stalled, but trending positively.
And the second tweet, which UM won't let me embed fancy, so here's the LINK and the old school
Now I've been told: "Breakthroughs in the last couple days. Things trending very positively."
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) December 6, 2023
Of course, we have heard that before. We know President Ono and the Regents want it done, Jim Stapleton doesn't, and the athletic department has dragged its feet. We'll see what happens
My confusion is why Jim Stapleton has any push or pull at all with regards to Harbaugh's contract, and why Athletics would be dragging their feet on this.
December 6th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
... ok. As has been proven pretty extensively these last few months, "insiders" report what they're told with 0 pushback so what we're hearing is just what someone says is happening with no proof of it actually happening.
Obviously things hit some snags over the last few months, but this "positive trend" line has been said a few times already and nothing came of it.
Get better sources, lock your sources down when they say things that don't come true, or stop reporting entirely and we'll find out when the university actually releases something.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:00 PM ^
Warde Manuel needs to be replaced What a DO NOTHING AD
December 6th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
Fuck Jim Stapleton.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
Things are also trending positively for my annual 3% raise. My boss and HR are supportive of it.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
Jim Stapleton, however, would like you to return to the office 3x/week
December 6th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
whatever. this is such horseshit info every time. trending very positively. k. sure. just like last time.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
So its Jim/Ono/Fans vs Warde/Stapleton. How in the hell is there anyone wanting Jim gone after the last 3 years of football outside of those who want us to go back to 3-4 loss's every season and no wins over an osu.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
There are contingent of fans albeit small that believe Harbaugh has damaged Michigan football with the investigations etc. absolutely DELUSIONAL they are
December 6th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
99.982374% of those "fans" are concern trolls from other teams.
The other one is Mary Sue Coleman.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
I think some people (especially those with a lot of money) get more caught up in their egos and their only goal becomes control, as opposed to the original goal of helping Michigan win football games.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^
Not sure what his beef is with the Head Ballcoach ? I think it’s time to let go….
Can’t believe the future of the program is being held hostage by the grudge of one very particular individual. Stay out the damn way and let them thrive. So weird.
goes back to my all time favorite phrase on this site: “ people in charge of things just to be in charge. “
Peter principle at its absolute worst.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^
Hey Jim Stapleton if you are on here reading this, pull your head out of your ass, and realize Jim built this program from the ashes of RR and Hoke, turned the tide against our two biggest rivals and has made the playoffs three years in a row, he also is the first coach in history to lead a team to 3 straight outright Big Ten titles. There is no one better than Jim for Michigan right now!
December 6th, 2023 at 1:47 PM ^
Jim Stapleton is a cancer to Michigan football... He either needs a Christmas Carol level change of heart regarding our program or he needs to be removed from any and all influence.
December 6th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Ok. This goes back to the RR days, but I do have some decent intel on Jim Stapleton. Back then, I was pretty close to a couple of big Michigan families (i.e. they have their family names on a couple buildings on campus). I'm not as close with these folks anymore, so I'm gonna assume Jim Stapleton is the same today as we was during the RR years. Two things, Jim Stapleton:
1. wanted a black coach more than anything at that time
2. does not like overly religious coaches (honestly, I don't remember RR be overly religious)
These 2 things do not mesh well with Jim Harbaugh.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
You raise me up
December 6th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
That episode was some of the funniest shit ever.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
If this is the case, how does he not see that Harbaugh has placed Sherrone Moore in a position to succeed himself? The more successful and stable Harbaugh's program is, the greater the likelihood that will happen.
If Stapleton uses his NCAA influence to damage the problem with a bunch of trumped-up crap, that would probably only reduce Moore's chances of being our next coach.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
I disagree. It will only help. The fact that Sherrone Moore has succeeded in his head coaching duties only reinforces Stapleton's approach to push Harbaugh out by any means necessary. That way, Stapleton gets the coach he wants (at least with regards to race).
December 6th, 2023 at 2:22 PM ^
Why is Stapelton's opinion considered when making these decisions? What influence did he have on the football program back then and now?
December 6th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
He really doesn't. He's a booster, so he has some say, but I don't think the AD really cares what he says these days.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:25 PM ^
The religious thing, to me, has become bigger and bigger. I'm starting to get a vibe that's inching closer to Dabo. Not being Catholic or Christian it does bother me a bit. I don't mind people being religious but the "loudness" to it seems to be getting louder. This is an aside and has nothing to do with Stapleton b/c he's still a bum who needs to stay away.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:36 PM ^
Jim Harbaugh's Sunday interview with ESPN is going to come back and bite him unfortunately.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
With who? Religion is a big part of football culture.
People are bothered by celebrities who are outspoken primarily because said celebrity had a platform to express their views and they do not.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
Yes religion is a big part of football culture. But not any religion, just Christianity and Catholicism. Again, there's a difference between being religious quietly and being religious loudly. This team is becoming louder and louder about religion. Just an observation.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
I hate religion as much as anyone and follow Michigan as closely as anyone and...I don't see this at all. Donovan's a little annoying, but you see that shit literally everywhere in sports.
December 6th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
Did you listen to any of the Iowa post-game stuff or Jim Harbaugh speaking with ESPN after the CFP stuff came out? Curious b/c it was heavy handed. What's interesting is that JJ is supposedly quite religious but I haven't heard him say anything in these interviews about it, contrasting to other people and coach.
December 6th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
On Sunday with an interview with ESPN, he credited God and Jesus our lord and savior for the teams success through a difficult time. Personally, I have no problem with that. I do know that A LOT of people do have a problem with it.
December 6th, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
sounds like you know a lot of people who have a problem......
if that's what he feels, thinks, believes.... wtf should it bother anyone else?
December 6th, 2023 at 8:09 PM ^
Dude. I live in Chicago. You can be religious, but you gotta be chill. There’s a menorah in Roger’s Park that got destroyed yesterday
December 7th, 2023 at 8:06 AM ^
that's a drastically different issue in today's environment.
empathy shouldn't be selective
December 6th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
you must be apoplectic when what looks like 99% of the michigan team gathers together for prayer in the endzone before the game. maybe, just maybe, that's is an important part of the character of these kids who excel beyond their 'star' ratings, who love one another, our coach, and our school. it might not be perfect, but it sure seems like a beautiful example.
December 6th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
Again, do your prayer, be humble about it, no need to bring it up every time someone asks about a game or a play. Again, I don't see JJ doing it. He's quiet about it. You wouldn't be saying the same thing if they were all Muslim or Hindu. That's the issue.
December 6th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
in a way you're right, but not for the reason you might think. the tenants of both of those faiths are radically different than Christianity. this isn't the forum for a detailed discussion of that and i respect that and will abide by that, but the presuppositions of those faiths couldn't be more different than orthodox, sincere Christianity.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
Nothing like trying to be truly elite at something and then, when it comes to hiring the person in charge, you cut the applicant pool in half, twice over, based on race and religion.
Maybe Jim Stapleton can start his own school and hire, I don't know, Neil deGrasse Tyson to coach his football team.
Having JS's preferences is fine--but if it leads you to sabotage your alma mater, you're at best petty, and at worst bigoted. Of course, maybe Stapleton's feelings towards Harbaugh are more personal and not based on any of the above.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:09 PM ^
What the fuck is Warde doing? Yes, let's drag it out so rumors of Harbaugh to NFL can fester and kill recruiting for another year.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^
It's almost like he is not an alumni...
December 6th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
It's almost like Warde has learned nothing in the last three years.
the longer he waits, the more risk there is the delay causing future harm. I understood waiting til after the B1GCG, but don't see any reason why it needs to drag out past the end of this week. Waiting for the NCAA would be a foolish thing to do, if that's what WM is doing. Most modern contracts have clauses regarding NCAA disciplinary actions, so that shouldn't be a concern here in putting an extension on Harbaugh's desk. Maybe they want to be sure he'll sign it once offered, and they don't have that confidence yet? I don't know, but it's irritating that, from where we're sitting, it looks like they can't/won't get this done, nor does it look like Manuel understands the timing aspect at all.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:13 PM ^
Someone should tell Stapleton that Ron English will not be the next coach or even the coach after that.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
If Stapleton has anything to do w/ Michigan football coaching decisions, the world is a very stupid place
December 6th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
Gitter done! We don't want another year of NFL interviews pulling recruiting down.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:37 PM ^
Stapleton… forgot about that motherfucker for a bit.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
Time to FIRE Warde - under his watch these NCAA issues arose. Get rid of Stapleton influence - how does he have influence since English hasn’t been around for many years. Ono should fire Warde and ban Stapleton from campus. He’s a lawyer nothing to do with the school.
December 6th, 2023 at 2:45 PM ^
Why the fuck do I know who Jim Stapleton is??
Shoot this cretin into outer space
December 6th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
This has been the same damn story for like 3 years.
Warde has been dragging his fat ass for the last 3 years around this extension.
Shit or get off the pot is probably what Harbaugh is thinking.
Dude has won back-to-back-to-back Big 10 Championships, and had led his team to 3 straight playoff births, and we are still talking about contract extensions?
For fucks sake, he should have already been offered the Highest Paid B1G coach contract 2 years ago, and we should be talking about Highest Paid Coaches in college football at this point.
But here we are....AGAIN. And people wonder why Coach Harbaugh likes to window shop NFL jobs...
JFC.
/end rant
December 6th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Scapegoat Warde, fire him, put the PIs on Stapleton to dig up dirt, get rid of him too, sign a family contract with Harbaugh so he or his descendants coach M for eternity! lol
December 6th, 2023 at 4:47 PM ^
Can you imagine if they had done a descendants contract with Jack Harbaugh?
December 6th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
I have no information about the current state of Harbaugh's contract.
But I don't see why I, as a Michigan football fan, should be required to have any information at all in order to expect a worst-case scenario, be pissed off at everyone in advance of getting any reliable information, and post a rant containing my uninformed opinion.
Oh sure, I could consult my Ouija Board, but then I'd have to check the Magic 8 Ball for confirmation, and that's kind of like taking ESPN's word as backup info.
There are the privileges of football fandom, one of them being unhindered speculation and another being the free expression of counter-factual scenarios, and I will not be denied!
December 6th, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
Who is this asshole called Stapleton and who gives a fuck about his one dissenting opinion?
December 6th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^
At this point it is like that couple we all know who have been together for at least five years but still aren’t engaged. Shit or get off the pot.