To go along with my Harbaugh Watch policy, I am going to be posting a single thread of everything we know that I will update when I get something of substance. Since we don't do constant updates, it might be hard to find some information we've posted for those who casually peruse the boards. This thread will not participate in clickbait, broad speculation or hearsay, it's going to be facts only from sources very familiar with the situation. For those who are regular board posters, most of this information won't be new. This is directed towards those who aren't active board participants.
With that, here is everything we're hearing about the Jim Harbaugh situation:
1/20:
- The contract has been done and is waiting for Jim Harbaugh's signature. Included in the contract is a hefty raise for Harbaugh and an expanded salary pool for his assistants. NIL language cannot be in the contract language but Harbaugh and the athletic department have been working closely to get some assurances moving forward. T's needed to be crossed and I's dotted.
- At this point, the ball is very much in Harbaugh's court. A simple signature of the contract can end this saga once and for all.
- Despite the contract not being signed, Harbaugh has told multiple current players of his plans to stay. The current coaching staff has told the current team to not 'sweat it' as Harbaugh is wanting to get the best for the program.
- Harbaugh has also told recruits of his intentions to stay. While on multiple recruiting trips, Harbaugh has hammered home the fact that no one should worry about the future.
- The hiring of Mike Elston has some significance as well, as Elston received adamant reassurances that Harbaugh wasn't going anywhere.
- We have not heard anything definitive about any NFL offers but Harbaugh is open to talking to NFL teams.
- Many around the athletic department remain confident that Harbaugh will be the coach at Michigan next season, with the feeling that things have been status quo for a few weeks now.
- Anyone that speaks with certainties regarding what Jim Harbaugh is thinking and/or doing is simply guessing. Michigan truly doesn't know what Harbaugh's intentions are.
1/22
From board posts we made on the assistant coaching salary pool and what some people are believing:
- I’ve been told that the assistant salary pool that is part of the ongoing discussion with Harbaugh and Michigan will be increased by around $3 million, which is a significant increase. On top of that, upwards of 10 recruiting staffers can be hired for the football program. This is part of the presented contract that’s waiting for Harbaugh’s signature. While this isn’t part of the actual contract language, these are part of the assurances that are included in the negotiations.
- The NFL interest surrounding Jim Harbaugh is becoming a bit overstated, according to those I’ve spoken with. Meaning that those who are speculating about the NFL are overplaying the seriousness of these NFL “talks.” I’m starting to believe that as well. Again, you have to have an NFL offer in order to take it. I’m just not sure that offer is going to happen. We’ll see, of course, but wanted to share that little tidbit of information I’ve gathered. This is coming from people I trust, not just blind speculation.
1/24
This update was posted in the thread titled Dollars and cents:
- In regards to Jim Harbaugh's salary numbers, I cannot confirm nor deny what Michigan has offered. I've heard multiple numbers and there doesn't seem to be common ground on what has been offered regarding people I have spoken with. What I can confirm, though, is that the incentives included in the deal will take Harbaugh's yearly salary well north of $10 million per year. Speaking purely from U-M's side of things, multiple sources remain confident that the contract provided to Harbaugh has given him everything that he asked for. So, what's the hold-up? That's the million-dollar question. I think it's OK at this point to say, 'I don't know.' Because that would mean I would know what Jim Harbaugh is thinking and not even Michigan knows that.
1/30
It was a busy Sunday for Jim Harbaugh fodder, including his name being linked with two franchises in the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. While we were able to confirm that Harbaugh had indeed spoken to the Vikings about the head coaching vacancy, those I have spoken with do not seem all that concerned about where things stand. In fact, some have brazenly called it a 'courtesy' discussion. That is simply an opinion, of course. Meanwhile, in Schembechler Hall, it continues to be business as usual as it has been for weeks since the season ended. Jim Harbaugh was in the building on Sunday visiting with recruits and sending out offers. According to a source that spoke with TMBR's Brandon Justice, Harbaugh was also discussing ideas about renovating the player lounge during the weekend. Also, according to those in Schembechler Hall, there is no panic about what has been discussed on social media this weekend. The confidence that Harbaugh isn't going anywhere hasn't changed. On an unrelated note, an assistant coach spoke to one of my sources seemingly out of the blue on Friday evening to reinforce that Harbaugh wasn't going anywhere. Again, all of this can change in an instant with Harbaugh making any intentions public but he continues to say, and do, the right things to those who work close with the U-M football program.
With all of this being said, speaking to those close to the situation and sifting through what we know, it's TMBR's BEST GUESS that Harbaugh will return to Ann Arbor as of 1/30.
Check back with this thread for more updates when we have them.
With that, here is everything we're hearing about the Jim Harbaugh situation:
1/20:
- The contract has been done and is waiting for Jim Harbaugh's signature. Included in the contract is a hefty raise for Harbaugh and an expanded salary pool for his assistants. NIL language cannot be in the contract language but Harbaugh and the athletic department have been working closely to get some assurances moving forward. T's needed to be crossed and I's dotted.
- At this point, the ball is very much in Harbaugh's court. A simple signature of the contract can end this saga once and for all.
- Despite the contract not being signed, Harbaugh has told multiple current players of his plans to stay. The current coaching staff has told the current team to not 'sweat it' as Harbaugh is wanting to get the best for the program.
- Harbaugh has also told recruits of his intentions to stay. While on multiple recruiting trips, Harbaugh has hammered home the fact that no one should worry about the future.
- The hiring of Mike Elston has some significance as well, as Elston received adamant reassurances that Harbaugh wasn't going anywhere.
- We have not heard anything definitive about any NFL offers but Harbaugh is open to talking to NFL teams.
- Many around the athletic department remain confident that Harbaugh will be the coach at Michigan next season, with the feeling that things have been status quo for a few weeks now.
- Anyone that speaks with certainties regarding what Jim Harbaugh is thinking and/or doing is simply guessing. Michigan truly doesn't know what Harbaugh's intentions are.
1/22
From board posts we made on the assistant coaching salary pool and what some people are believing:
- I’ve been told that the assistant salary pool that is part of the ongoing discussion with Harbaugh and Michigan will be increased by around $3 million, which is a significant increase. On top of that, upwards of 10 recruiting staffers can be hired for the football program. This is part of the presented contract that’s waiting for Harbaugh’s signature. While this isn’t part of the actual contract language, these are part of the assurances that are included in the negotiations.
- The NFL interest surrounding Jim Harbaugh is becoming a bit overstated, according to those I’ve spoken with. Meaning that those who are speculating about the NFL are overplaying the seriousness of these NFL “talks.” I’m starting to believe that as well. Again, you have to have an NFL offer in order to take it. I’m just not sure that offer is going to happen. We’ll see, of course, but wanted to share that little tidbit of information I’ve gathered. This is coming from people I trust, not just blind speculation.
1/24
This update was posted in the thread titled Dollars and cents:
- In regards to Jim Harbaugh's salary numbers, I cannot confirm nor deny what Michigan has offered. I've heard multiple numbers and there doesn't seem to be common ground on what has been offered regarding people I have spoken with. What I can confirm, though, is that the incentives included in the deal will take Harbaugh's yearly salary well north of $10 million per year. Speaking purely from U-M's side of things, multiple sources remain confident that the contract provided to Harbaugh has given him everything that he asked for. So, what's the hold-up? That's the million-dollar question. I think it's OK at this point to say, 'I don't know.' Because that would mean I would know what Jim Harbaugh is thinking and not even Michigan knows that.
1/30
It was a busy Sunday for Jim Harbaugh fodder, including his name being linked with two franchises in the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. While we were able to confirm that Harbaugh had indeed spoken to the Vikings about the head coaching vacancy, those I have spoken with do not seem all that concerned about where things stand. In fact, some have brazenly called it a 'courtesy' discussion. That is simply an opinion, of course. Meanwhile, in Schembechler Hall, it continues to be business as usual as it has been for weeks since the season ended. Jim Harbaugh was in the building on Sunday visiting with recruits and sending out offers. According to a source that spoke with TMBR's Brandon Justice, Harbaugh was also discussing ideas about renovating the player lounge during the weekend. Also, according to those in Schembechler Hall, there is no panic about what has been discussed on social media this weekend. The confidence that Harbaugh isn't going anywhere hasn't changed. On an unrelated note, an assistant coach spoke to one of my sources seemingly out of the blue on Friday evening to reinforce that Harbaugh wasn't going anywhere. Again, all of this can change in an instant with Harbaugh making any intentions public but he continues to say, and do, the right things to those who work close with the U-M football program.
With all of this being said, speaking to those close to the situation and sifting through what we know, it's TMBR's BEST GUESS that Harbaugh will return to Ann Arbor as of 1/30.
Check back with this thread for more updates when we have them.
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