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| Jim Harbaugh |
Rumors persist that Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops would be Michigan's #2 option, but he might be off the table because someone of his coaching stature would not want to play second fiddle to Harbaugh. I say there's no shame in being the backup to an NFL head coach who would potentially be coming back to his alma mater. That's not an insult to Stoops, but hey, the guy has won more championships than Harbaugh.
LSU head coach Les Miles told reporters off the record that he would not be coming to Michigan.
A lot of people have been saying that Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is not even being considered, but he has yet to sign a rumored contract extension with MSU. He may not be on Michigan's radar, but he seems like a guy who might be waiting for some dominoes to fall in the coaching world before he marries himself to the Bulldogs for too long (or for too big of a buyout).
Meanwhile, potential Plan C option Steve Addazio signed an extension with Boston College through 2020 (LINK). Another potential coach, Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman, has been hired as Houston's head coach for five years and $6.75 million (LINK).
With Pitt head coach Paul Chryst taking the job at Wisconsin, the Panthers are now looking for a head coach. While they probably wouldn't be able to poach an established head coach, they may be able to snag an up-and-coming coordinator or head coach. Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck just signed a contract extension through 2020, but there are still guys like Greg Schiano, Tom Bradley (former Penn State defensive coordinator, current WVU assistant head coach) and Pat Narduzzi hanging around. I could see Schiano or Bradley taking the job, but Narduzzi seems to be holding out for something better than Pitt since he rebuffed UConn last year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera_%28Whatever_Will_Be,_Will_Be%29
ReplyDeleteOffering Harbaugh a six year contract may look good, but it's silly. Even if he came to Michigan, it would be a huge surprise if he stayed more than 4 years before bolting back to the NFL. He would not be a career hire like Hoke, and he has no particular love or loyalty for his alma mater..certainly nothing to override all of the offers he'd get to lure him away from here.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's silly at all. It shows that Michigan is committed to him beyond the three or four years that coaches normally get initially. And even if he bolts before his contract is up, that happens all the time. Something happens to most coaches before their contract expires - they either get fired, leave (and get bought out), or they sign an extension. I disagree that he has no particular love or loyalty for his alma mater. I don't know that he would be considering Michigan if not for the fact that it's his alma mater, and he obviously reveres Bo Schembechler and his legacy.
DeleteMichigan has no more commitment to him than they had to Brady Hoke. They are committed (we assumes) to winning. If Harbaugh wins, they'll want to keep him around, and if he doesn't, Michigan won't honor a six year contract any more than Harbaugh will. Yes, I know both sides have to pretend that this would be something other than an Elizabeth Taylor marriage, but it still smacks of phoniness. But whatever. If Harbaugh can bring us back from being a laughingstock and install a culture of winning the way he did at Stanford, I'm OK with knowing that he'll only be here 4 years. Hopefully by that time, things will be well enough in shape that someone else capable can and will want to take over.
Deletewhere to even begin...
DeleteIf Harbaugh comes, and bolts before the six year deal is over, then we get a big cut from wherever JH decides to go. That's fine.
DeleteBut I think he will turn this program around in no time, so if he establishes a culture of winning and great successors-to-be (ie Shaw at Stanford), I don't mind if he ultimately decides to leave for the league.
I think Harbaugh could have this program back to being decent in two years, if he can do a job at the QB position. We have enough raw talent at other positions to compete at a 9 or 10 win level, with competent coaching, and having him here will stem the bleeding on the recruiting trail. He'd be starting off here with a lot more talent than he had when he took over at Stanford, and he took them from 1-11 to 12-1 in four years.
Delete>> Offering Harbaugh a six year contract may look good, but it's silly.
DeleteAny sillier than offering a 3-year? Is there an optimal contract period that's not silly?
First, we don't even know if the 6 year value is accurate. Second, assuming it was, there's an argument to be made it sends a signal about the long-term commitment and confidence Michigan has for Harbaugh, and Harbaugh's acceptance signals his degree of commitment to Michigan.
What's the alternative? A three year contract with a carrot out there about an extension based on performance? Why would Harbaugh, at this point in his career and given his level of demand, bother with that?
On the contrary ... six year strikes me as just about right.
Yes, there is. Four years. That's plenty of time to turn a program around and prove that you're the man for the job, but not too long to be stuck once you find out that you've made a bad hire (as we did with Hoke)
DeleteDo you think Les Miles wouldn't consider Michigan if he was offered if JH decides to stay in the NFL? My take on his off the record comments was that he was saying what he had to in order to avoid causing any distractions for his program, nip it in the bud so to speak. I absolutely believe he hadn't received any type of offer at the time he made those comments, so what was there for him to consider? I also read some recent comments he made to a reporter that increase my belief that he would consider an offer from Michigan.
ReplyDeleteMartin and Brandon didn't offer Miles. Hackett won't either.
DeleteMiles doesn't fit the culture in Ann Arbor. I also think he likes where he is at. I really hope people drop the Miles thing. He would be very divisive among the fanbase and Michigan people in general even if he decides to come.
DeleteI do think Miles would consider the Michigan job if offered. He has roots in the north and went to Michigan, and I think it would be appealing to him to ride off into the sunset by carrying on Bo Schembechler's legacy in Ann Arbor.
DeleteI am not privy to inside information, but there are "insiders" who believe that Miles would take the job if offered. I don't know that he would be next in the pecking order if Harbaugh declines (I think Miles might be more like #4 or #5 on the list) but it's possible that he'll get a shot.
I wonder what Narduzzi is waiting for. I'm sure he wants a high profile Job but most guys work their the way up a staff, then take a job at schools like UCONN or PITT, then go too a powerhouse. His resume is very good right now, you gotta take the jump while it's good. Unless he is Greg Mattison and just loves being a coordinator.
ReplyDeleteUConn and Pitt are hardly comparable jobs. A successful coach at UConn would be looking to move up to a job like Pitt..
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