First of all, I want to say that I am not here trying to rally around an individual to protect someone or come off like I am carrying water, I like to think that I am fairly down the middle when it comes to criticizing and giving warranted praise to an individual.
I've seen some things, whether fair or unfair, about the supposed relationship between Warde Manuel and Jim Harbaugh, that it's Manuel's fault the contract situation is what it is at this moment.
Let's take a deeper dive into some narratives that I'd like to shed some light on a bit.
Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel's relationship is fractured, the two hate each other
This cannot be further from the truth. The two DO NOT dislike each other at all. As I've said before here, these are two very strong egos, that are wildly different, going through a give-and-take process. I am not saying this is the right thing and both sides of the coin should, and will be, held accountable for their inaction to get things done in a quick manner. That cannot be argued. However, to suggest that both parties hate each other, aren't on speaking terms and are irreparably damaged. It's simply not true.
Are things frosty going through this process? Yes. As I said, it's a give-and-take process with two egos at play.
At the end of the day, both Harbaugh and Warde need to set these egos aside and put the program first and get this done.
Warde Manuel is sitting on his hands during contract negotiations
Again, not true. Harbaugh's meeting with Santa Ono wasn't a tattle-tale meeting to get things on the right track. Ono is very involved in athletics and wants what is best for the football program. The best is to get Harbaugh secured on a long-term deal. Manuel isn't watching the minutes sit idly by in his office and letting the NFL become a possibility, the two parties are in talks daily and there is support for Manuel in Harbaugh's circle despite the public backlash that's on social media currently. Some of which is warranted and some of them are not. That's a totally different conversation in itself.
It comes down to two men that could not be wired more differently trying to communicate with one another. Something that the two need to learn how to do.
Here's what I mean:
- Jim took the pay cut by Warde personally. He views money in comparison to his peers as respect. He doesn't care about the money itself, he cares about being respected. So he took the 2020 pay cut as a sign of disrespect. On the other side of the coin, you've got Manuel thinking, "I threw you a lifeline when people were calling for you to be fired." And, guess what, he could've been justified in letting Harbaugh go after 2020. In hindsight, it would've been a bad decision. Yet, we didn't know that at the time.
- You could also follow up with Manuel's argument with 'Two offseason circuses is how we're repaid?"
- The two aren't wrong for feeling this way and I can picture the arguments now, "Well, what about 2021?" That was a GREAT year, following it up proved it wasn't a flash in the pan. Now Harbaugh needs to be paid in the upper echelon of CFB, and he will. The two need to learn how to bridge the consternation between the two.
Again, it's not about personal hate. It's a business and both are trying to conduct themselves as such in their own ways.
On the report of Harbaugh not being offered a contract
I've been asked about a recent report that Harbaugh has not been offered a contract. I am told that it's basically semantics at this point.
The two sides have talked about and negotiated every aspect of the contract. They have NOT put anything in front of him to sign, which gives you the report that he hasn't been offered a contract.
Which, technically, is true. But there are still things moving behind the scenes before a physical contract is in front of Harbaugh. Again, there is positivity amongst those I speak with that believe that things will get done, positivity as recent as last night. When that will get done is another question.
On the NCAA report
I am not fully on board with the 'This is over a burger?' line of reasoning when it comes to the NCAA. From what I have heard from people I've spoken with, is that it's more than 'just a burger' and the report will explain everything once it's released, whenever that will be. There is a belief that Harbaugh had impermissible contact, was caught by the NCAA and wasn't honest about it. The impermissible contact in itself isn't a huge deal but the dishonesty is and that is where the problems lie. I fully expect Michigan to stand behind and support Harbaugh.
Reports of the contract not being signed until after the NCAA dust has settled are out there but I have not been able to independently verify that.
I've seen some things, whether fair or unfair, about the supposed relationship between Warde Manuel and Jim Harbaugh, that it's Manuel's fault the contract situation is what it is at this moment.
Let's take a deeper dive into some narratives that I'd like to shed some light on a bit.
Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel's relationship is fractured, the two hate each other
This cannot be further from the truth. The two DO NOT dislike each other at all. As I've said before here, these are two very strong egos, that are wildly different, going through a give-and-take process. I am not saying this is the right thing and both sides of the coin should, and will be, held accountable for their inaction to get things done in a quick manner. That cannot be argued. However, to suggest that both parties hate each other, aren't on speaking terms and are irreparably damaged. It's simply not true.
Are things frosty going through this process? Yes. As I said, it's a give-and-take process with two egos at play.
At the end of the day, both Harbaugh and Warde need to set these egos aside and put the program first and get this done.
Warde Manuel is sitting on his hands during contract negotiations
Again, not true. Harbaugh's meeting with Santa Ono wasn't a tattle-tale meeting to get things on the right track. Ono is very involved in athletics and wants what is best for the football program. The best is to get Harbaugh secured on a long-term deal. Manuel isn't watching the minutes sit idly by in his office and letting the NFL become a possibility, the two parties are in talks daily and there is support for Manuel in Harbaugh's circle despite the public backlash that's on social media currently. Some of which is warranted and some of them are not. That's a totally different conversation in itself.
It comes down to two men that could not be wired more differently trying to communicate with one another. Something that the two need to learn how to do.
Here's what I mean:
- Jim took the pay cut by Warde personally. He views money in comparison to his peers as respect. He doesn't care about the money itself, he cares about being respected. So he took the 2020 pay cut as a sign of disrespect. On the other side of the coin, you've got Manuel thinking, "I threw you a lifeline when people were calling for you to be fired." And, guess what, he could've been justified in letting Harbaugh go after 2020. In hindsight, it would've been a bad decision. Yet, we didn't know that at the time.
- You could also follow up with Manuel's argument with 'Two offseason circuses is how we're repaid?"
- The two aren't wrong for feeling this way and I can picture the arguments now, "Well, what about 2021?" That was a GREAT year, following it up proved it wasn't a flash in the pan. Now Harbaugh needs to be paid in the upper echelon of CFB, and he will. The two need to learn how to bridge the consternation between the two.
Again, it's not about personal hate. It's a business and both are trying to conduct themselves as such in their own ways.
On the report of Harbaugh not being offered a contract
I've been asked about a recent report that Harbaugh has not been offered a contract. I am told that it's basically semantics at this point.
The two sides have talked about and negotiated every aspect of the contract. They have NOT put anything in front of him to sign, which gives you the report that he hasn't been offered a contract.
Which, technically, is true. But there are still things moving behind the scenes before a physical contract is in front of Harbaugh. Again, there is positivity amongst those I speak with that believe that things will get done, positivity as recent as last night. When that will get done is another question.
On the NCAA report
I am not fully on board with the 'This is over a burger?' line of reasoning when it comes to the NCAA. From what I have heard from people I've spoken with, is that it's more than 'just a burger' and the report will explain everything once it's released, whenever that will be. There is a belief that Harbaugh had impermissible contact, was caught by the NCAA and wasn't honest about it. The impermissible contact in itself isn't a huge deal but the dishonesty is and that is where the problems lie. I fully expect Michigan to stand behind and support Harbaugh.
Reports of the contract not being signed until after the NCAA dust has settled are out there but I have not been able to independently verify that.
