Schefter on Harbaugh's decision

Submitted by kevnblue on

Link!

A far cry from the "no chance" talk we've been hearing from NFL folks.

A summary of things I thought were most interesting:

  • "49ers HC Jim Harbaugh’s family and friends have been encouraging him to take the Michigan HC job, but he is torn because his heart is in the NFL, per sources close to the situation."

  • He'll wait to make a decision until after the 49ers last game, and the 49ers "getaway day" on Monday, December 29.

  • Mrs. Harbaugh is open to going to Ann Arbor if it's what Jim wants.

  • Jim is not concerned by the notion of college recruiting because he did well with it at Stanford.

I'm still feeling 50-50 on this.

Blue Mike

December 19th, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^

1.  Sean Payton won a Super Bowl before he got an extension from his current employer to that $8MM range.  That's a hard pill for any NFL owner to swallow when the results haven't gotten there yet.  Another part of this might be the years.  What if the NFL wants to do 4 years, when Michigan is willing to do 6-8?  That's more guaranteed money from UM.

2.  Jim may tell a LOT of people to eff themselves, but I'd wager a guess that his dad and wife are not on that list.  Just because he wants to see what the NFL offers are doesn't mean he doesn't also want to come to Michigan.

3.  Just because an NFL team has said they'd be interested after the season doesn't mean that teams have started talking terms.  That would be serious tampering, and a big no-no.  So I'm sure the agent has an idea of who is going to make an offer, but not how much.

RobSk

December 19th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^

I thought it was:

-Family and friends backing off hardline stance

-Wife open toencouraging him to take it.

-NFL guys  moving to Ann Arbor

-Faithful Friends who are near to us, gather deer to us, once more

jjdog720

December 19th, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^

I will take this info from "his sources" with a grain of salt.  Schefter might be just as informed on this decision as ChatSports.  Sure had a stick up his rear a few days ago.

Jalm

December 19th, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^

I think he already said he wouldn't compete with Michigan if Harbaugh was considering. if he (Harbaugh) didn't want to go back to coach college then he (Ross) would go for him.

Candor for Sale

December 19th, 2014 at 3:28 PM ^

"His heart is in the NFL." 

The NFL has stomped on his heart and tried to crush his unbridled enthusiasm. Michigan will embrace it whole-heartedly. 

His favorite place to live is Ann Arbor. 

His mentor was Bo Schembechler. 

He could have all that again. Except this time, he'd be the Bo, and would shape the future of Michigan for years to come. Does the Lombardi Trophy really trump all that?

 

Artichokes Anonymous

December 19th, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^

National news has already reported a ludicrous financial offer. Now Schefter says family and friends are encouraging him to come to Michigan. Everything is on the table, the ball is in his court now. 

wesq

December 19th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^

Pretty much what Brian, JUB Sam, Balas etc., have said but in a more pessimistic tone. Optimism centers on Jack and others encouraging him and the money. Decesion doesn't seem to be made yet, comes down to if he wants to leave NFL. So we wait. Hopefully this is more Will Campbell than Da'Shawn Hand.

Drew_Silver

December 19th, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^

if harbaugh has a big of an ego as everyone says 

I could see him not wanting to go to some snot nosed 17 year old kid's living room and begging him to play for his football team

the NFL gives you players - they may stink, but you don't have to beg for them.  Unless they are free agents, then you just gotta pay the man

McSomething

December 19th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^

*reads bullet points* I need to sit down *is already sitting down* On second thought, I think I'll go lay down for a bit. Not sure I can handle this uncertainty much longer....

trueblue262

December 19th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^

I think a great Vine would be one of Schefty going from "No way possible he's leaving the NFL" to "he's CONSIDERING", to "maybe?"

And then finally 10 days from now "Harbaugh to Michigan"

snackyx

December 19th, 2014 at 3:41 PM ^

Colin Cowherd went absolutely full doucebag on the University of Michigan today, with a rant about how Michigan fans and some wacko Michigan fansite (he talkin' about us???) think they know more than ESPN sources.  It really became embarassing, even by Cowherd standards, as he minicked the "whiney, simpering, delusional" UM fans who think Harbough is coming to their school "to save them" and how they have to throw a truckload of money at him to get him to commit.

And, of course, if JH does come to A2, Cowhered will backtrack all over it and maintain everything he said at the time was exactly correct, but something just changed.  Hey, it happens!

Assclown.

Mr Miggle

December 19th, 2014 at 3:48 PM ^

are pushing him to come to Michigan?  Beyond his former teammates here and maybe his dad, that's kind of hard to swallow. I would think he must be saying something to encourage them. I can't help but wonder if the heart is in the NFL line is just put out there to prop up his earlier reports.

erald01

December 19th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^

If his heart is in NFL then its probably best for all of us if he stayed there. I want him to come to Michigan because he WANTS to come here and because he loves his school and wants to help. I dont want him to do this because others say so.

turtleboy

December 19th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^

Finally! Actual reporting from actual reporters with actual credentials and professional integrity. Also: this could be really good news for Michigan if his whole family is pushing for it. That, imho, would supercede any contract to random-nfl-destination-x

Magnum P.I.

December 19th, 2014 at 5:27 PM ^

HALOL! Hilarious. Throws in the "his heart is in the NFL" as the last thread preserving his initial bullshit reporting. "Well, I've been proven completely wrong, so let me just toss in something about his heart something to keep some shred of dignity."

We shouldn't be promoting this person's work on this blog.

alum96

December 19th, 2014 at 5:58 PM ^

An important part left out is his agent more or less knows what NFL offers will be on the table Dec 29th.  That fits into the building consensus Jim is leaning to coming short of something "coming out of left field" post Dec 28th from the NFL. 

 

Harbaugh’s agent, Dave Dunn, already “has a good sense of realistic NFL options already.”

Jason80

December 19th, 2014 at 6:04 PM ^

I think it may not be an NFL except the NFL is the other option. I think that for a lifelong nomad it may be tough for Jim to swallow he could be picking the job he retires from. He won't come to Michigan to leave for something else, Michigan coaches don't do that. Is he ready to ignore the wanderlust?

Eskimoan

December 20th, 2014 at 1:35 AM ^

I feel like Schefter is trying to report every little bit of info\not Info just to be involved. I could be wrong, but it seems ESPN tagged him as the guy they want reporting it first, as this seems like a competition between all football news outlets