Harbaugh's Contract
After Saturday, I personally think it's time for a change. But I know it can be debated and reasonable cases can still be made on both sides.
However, I think a huge factor in all of this is the fact that his contract is set to run out after next season. They would be facing a decision this offseason anyway (I'm surprised we've even made it this far). In college coaching, you just can't have a lame duck year. It would absolutely kill recruiting. And I think a short extension of one, two, or even three years could function the same way. So the question we should be asking isn't whether Harbaugh deserves to be fired, it's whether he deserves a four year extension. And that really changes things up in my opinion. If he had multiple years left after this one on his initial deal, it's way easier just to punt a year, chalk it up to the Covid craziness, and see if we show signs of a turnaround. But we're at the point now where a long-term decision has to be made one way or the other.
And despite the issues we're having, I still think Coach Harbaugh would be a solid NFL candidate. Most of the issues that have unfortunately plagued him at Michigan (rah rah motivation, recruiting, rivalry struggles) aren't as much of a factor in the NFL. Kliff Kingsbury was fired from Texas Tech, immediately got the Cardinals job, and is doing pretty well so far. I agree with those who say that Warde really doesn't want to have to fire him. With the pros, there could be a way to do this respectively. But I think that extension factor looms large here.
November 2nd, 2020 at 5:12 PM ^
You realize that it didn't go directly from Stallings to Saban in Tuscaloosa, correct?
November 2nd, 2020 at 5:29 PM ^
You said rebuild. A rebuild is what one coach has to do after the previous one is fired. Saban went 7-6 his first year then 12-2 his second.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:08 PM ^
Harbaugh would no longer be a good NFL coach. I think he’d be fired after a few losing seasons if a team actually gave him another shot for some reason. He’s deteriorated as a coach since he left SF.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:11 PM ^
Steve Sarkisian from Bama. He's sober now and knows how to run an offense. AND he knows what it means to be part of a program that is dedicated to winning.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:16 PM ^
that last sentence applies to Lane Kiffin and Doug Nussmier
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
And Josh Gattis and Mike Locksley and all of the other coaches who have never won a game against Bama
November 2nd, 2020 at 4:00 PM ^
Coaching here means you would rarely play Bama. And besides, who cares. I'd take Kirby Smart over Harbaugh any day of the week. Harbaugh is so overrated
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:53 PM ^
I'd take Lane Kiffin over Harbaugh too. His offenses work. I would also think about Graham Harrell at USC. Either way it would accomplish three things this program needs; getting someone with a real offensive mind, getting rid of Don Brown and getting away from this stupid Michigan Man bullshit.
This program is so tied to it's past, it can't look forward.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:16 PM ^
I like Sark and I am happy he has recovered and landed on his feet. However, the safety net at Bama is strong, and with 5 stars all over the field and Saban ultimately taking any bullets for failure (not winning a NC), it's a safe spot for a recovered alcoholic.
I'm not saying Sark doesn't deserve another HC gig, but not sure if UM, given the pressure and absurd/irrational expectations of the fans is the best spot for him to land. At this point, I think UM football has made a bunch of us previous sober folk borderline alcoholics.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:19 PM ^
Ooh boy a coach who never finished with less than 4 losses in the soft ass Pac 12 except for the one year he went 3-2 and then got fired
Josh Gattis is also from Bama so your point makes no sense
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:57 PM ^
Sarkisian has proven to be an excellent offensive coach and play caller. Gattis may or may not have called the plays at Bama. Sarkisian has done it for two years.
Coaches almost always want to move up and succeed somewhere new.
November 2nd, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^
Unless you are giving the job to Josh Gattis I say we go after Jeff Scott at USF. He's in his first year at USF but was one of two offensive coordinators at Clemson with Dabo Sweeney.
November 2nd, 2020 at 4:27 PM ^
Only commenters on this board would bitch about the offense and then advocate that the person running the offense be promoted to HC.
November 2nd, 2020 at 7:05 PM ^
I believe he will get an extention, I believe the buyout clause will be diminished from the current contract. I believe Harbaugh will leave in the next 2 - 3 years.
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:50 PM ^
Head coaching candidate? Chris Petersen comes to mind.....no downside, he just wins, baby
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:54 PM ^
What kind of reception do you think Warde is going to get from the University when he proposes dropping 10 million to buy out Harbaugh and then spending additional millions to find and hire a new coaching staff?
It’s a financial shit storm across the university with no end in sight. Would they fire him on the spot? Throw things at him and tell him to go F himself?
November 3rd, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
If Warde does not renew JH's contract I think he's going to quit football coaching. Probably take a position in the Michigan athletic department. As for his replacement, I think Josh Gattis would at least get an interview. We can argue about whether he deserves that, but he at least somewhat fits the mold of a future head coach.
November 4th, 2020 at 2:13 PM ^
It's Time for a change. I used to believe that what are they gonna do how can they find someone better than what they have, but you know what, when you are 1-6 at home vs. your rivals, and about to go 0-6 vs ohio. How can it get much worst than that. Something has to change or they will continue to lose these games. It is time for him to go.