Jim Harbaugh was in Ann Arbor today ... yes, for several meetings and team business, starting early this morning.
First things first — no, his deal has not been finalized. Multiple sources say he reassured his staff and others that he would remain the Michigan coach, said he's had no discussions with NFL teams and was planning on being here next year. While it was hoped the extension (and at least one coordinator) would be announced today, that obviously hasn't happened.
As we've reported, the reason given for the delay was initially that a coach coaching on Saturday — presumably Oregon's Joe Moorhead, with whom it was conveyed they were "close" in previous discussions per multiple sources — was still being courted. We've heard nothing on progress there. We do know Harbaugh is planning on interviewing defensive coordinator candidates this week, and while we don't know who or when, we expect it to be from the list of names we provided yesterday.
Former Louisville, Texas and South Florida coach Charlie Strong is a legit candidate here. He's worked with U-M linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary in the past.
Essentially, the way it's being explained now is that this is a negotiation (which is has been for a while). But it's not just about Harbaugh's contract. Other assistant coach contracts are up on Monday, including some that had been agreed to in the spring before COVID hit but not signed.
What was on the table in March, including some multiple-year deals for key assistants, had to be adjusted due to the financial situation resulting from COVID, so there's more at stake here than just Harbaugh's extension. There's reason to believe Harbaugh feels personally responsible for some of these deals not being done earlier.
One heavily invested feels great about the situation and seems confident it will be resolved (was only "hopeful" a day earlier).
Some coaches were not at today's meeting. As we've noted, there will very likely be some changes to the staff, including Harbaugh coaching quarterbacks himself. Of course, the deal needs to be finalized first, and it still seems to be headed that way. To that, we'd continue to say, 'the longer this goes ...'
Monday is when a lot of the assistant coach contracts expire, so that's obviously a critical day.
We'll continue to provide more as we get it.
First things first — no, his deal has not been finalized. Multiple sources say he reassured his staff and others that he would remain the Michigan coach, said he's had no discussions with NFL teams and was planning on being here next year. While it was hoped the extension (and at least one coordinator) would be announced today, that obviously hasn't happened.
As we've reported, the reason given for the delay was initially that a coach coaching on Saturday — presumably Oregon's Joe Moorhead, with whom it was conveyed they were "close" in previous discussions per multiple sources — was still being courted. We've heard nothing on progress there. We do know Harbaugh is planning on interviewing defensive coordinator candidates this week, and while we don't know who or when, we expect it to be from the list of names we provided yesterday.
Former Louisville, Texas and South Florida coach Charlie Strong is a legit candidate here. He's worked with U-M linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary in the past.
Essentially, the way it's being explained now is that this is a negotiation (which is has been for a while). But it's not just about Harbaugh's contract. Other assistant coach contracts are up on Monday, including some that had been agreed to in the spring before COVID hit but not signed.
What was on the table in March, including some multiple-year deals for key assistants, had to be adjusted due to the financial situation resulting from COVID, so there's more at stake here than just Harbaugh's extension. There's reason to believe Harbaugh feels personally responsible for some of these deals not being done earlier.
One heavily invested feels great about the situation and seems confident it will be resolved (was only "hopeful" a day earlier).
Some coaches were not at today's meeting. As we've noted, there will very likely be some changes to the staff, including Harbaugh coaching quarterbacks himself. Of course, the deal needs to be finalized first, and it still seems to be headed that way. To that, we'd continue to say, 'the longer this goes ...'
Monday is when a lot of the assistant coach contracts expire, so that's obviously a critical day.
We'll continue to provide more as we get it.
