[Farm93]

1704760949[/url]']
Go Blue.  Harbaugh put stanford on the map again.  Be a little thankful.

Andrew Luck put Stanford back on the map.  Harbaugh bugged out early…

And you think Andrew would be there without Harbaugh? Give me a break.

---

https://theathletic.com/5179672/2024/01/...n-herbert/

Hardballs use the same formula at Michigan that he used at Stanford.  Strength & Conditioning Coach was the foundation.

And just like when he was here, it looks like now that he has reached the level of success he thought was possible at Michigan he'll go back to the NFL.

When he was at Stanford it was clear to many in football that he was at Stanford to build that resume to then move up ASAP!

Who had it better than us (Harbaugh) back in 2010?  Nobody!!!
Well, accept those head coaches in the NFL.  ;)

When he announced that Stanford players were "Champions" after winning the Orange Bowl it was depressingly clear he would leave soon.

Now in 2024 at Michigan he will forever be known as the Michigan Man that got the University of Michigan an undisputed national title, at least until they have to vacate the thing.  Even if they ultimately vacate the title he will be a legend in Ann Arbor and around the Michigan for giving them all the fond memories of January 8 2024.

And yet, while the family cheer is, "Who has it better than us (a.k.a. me)?....Nobody!"   The real answer is....his brother.

So look for Jim to take another shot at becoming a Super Bowl champ since dealing with unrealistic NIL dreams, and constant transfer portal threats is probably not much better than dealing with pros, and their agents, in the NFL.

The rumor mill seems set for a few NFL destinations with better weather and good QBs, so I guess we will see soon enough.

Those that yearn for the EUTM era and actually believe Harbaugh would have ever stayed beyond 2011 or 2012 are nuts.    Thankful we got the EUTM boost, but also thankful we got multiple conference titles and Rose Bowl wins with someone that was a bit more loyal to The Farm.

If you stay too long you will inevitably see the downside slope too even is happening to the true football GOAT..Belichick. 

I bet Harbaugh doesn't risk that and opts to jump while right at the peak.

He could have stayed in the NFL.  And he's had multiple chances to jump already.

But until Monday he had not accomplished the mission for that career step.

Sure, at Stanford, getting to a nice NY6 type bowl and winning the game was a decent level of success based on the prior ~30 years of history.   So that was a decent exit point...for the Stanford step.

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

[Farm93]

1704760949[/url]']
Go Blue.  Harbaugh put stanford on the map again.  Be a little thankful.

Andrew Luck put Stanford back on the map.  Harbaugh bugged out early…

And you think Andrew would be there without Harbaugh? Give me a break.

---

https://theathletic.com/5179672/2024/01/...n-herbert/

Hardballs use the same formula at Michigan that he used at Stanford.  Strength & Conditioning Coach was the foundation.

And just like when he was here, it looks like now that he has reached the level of success he thought was possible at Michigan he'll go back to the NFL.

When he was at Stanford it was clear to many in football that he was at Stanford to build that resume to then move up ASAP!

Who had it better than us (Harbaugh) back in 2010?  Nobody!!!
Well, accept those head coaches in the NFL.  ;)

When he announced that Stanford players were "Champions" after winning the Orange Bowl it was depressingly clear he would leave soon.

Now in 2024 at Michigan he will forever be known as the Michigan Man that got the University of Michigan an undisputed national title, at least until they have to vacate the thing.  Even if they ultimately vacate the title he will be a legend in Ann Arbor and around the Michigan for giving them all the fond memories of January 8 2024.

And yet, while the family cheer is, "Who has it better than us (a.k.a. me)?....Nobody!"   The real answer is....his brother.

So look for Jim to take another shot at becoming a Super Bowl champ since dealing with unrealistic NIL dreams, and constant transfer portal threats is probably not much better than dealing with pros, and their agents, in the NFL.

The rumor mill seems set for a few NFL destinations with better weather and good QBs, so I guess we will see soon enough.

Those that yearn for the EUTM era and actually believe Harbaugh would have ever stayed beyond 2011 or 2012 are nuts.    Thankful we got the EUTM boost, but also thankful we got multiple conference titles and Rose Bowl wins with someone that was a bit more loyal to The Farm.

If you stay too long you will inevitably see the downside slope too even is happening to the true football GOAT..Belichick. 

I bet Harbaugh doesn't risk that and opts to jump while right at the peak.

He could have stayed in the NFL.  And he's had multiple chances to jump already.

But until Monday he had not accomplished the mission for that career step.

Sure, at Stanford, getting to a nice NY6 type bowl and winning the game was a decent level of success based on the prior ~30 years of history.   So that was a decent exit point...for the Stanford step.

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

[Goose]

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions. OTOH, I  am sure there are places in the NFL he could get the head coach job. He will possibly have to accept conditions that he doesn't want, like a GM having control over personnel. JH might not be willing to accept that, for instance. Going forward, JH has many opportunities but IMO most are not  "all good" for him. Finding the "optimal" path is probably difficult.

[Goose]

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions. OTOH, I  am sure there are places in the NFL he could get the head coach job. He will possibly have to accept conditions that he doesn't want, like a GM having control over personnel. JH might not be willing to accept that, for instance. Going forward, JH has many opportunities but IMO most are not  "all good" for him. Finding the "optimal" path is probably difficult.

[needle]

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions. OTOH, I  am sure there are places in the NFL he could get the head coach job. He will possibly have to accept conditions that he doesn't want, like a GM having control over personnel. JH might not be willing to accept that, for instance. Going forward, JH has many opportunities but IMO most are not  "all good" for him. Finding the "optimal" path is probably difficult.

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the possibility that the looming NCAA investigation makes him more likely to stay at Michigan. It's pretty clear that Harbaugh is adamant that almost anything the NCAA does is wrongheaded and borderline malicious. He speaks frequently about wanting a better CFB that includes payment of players. Is it such a leap to think that he might view the NCAA case as a cause celebre that can ultimately advance what he views as a better version of CFB oversight?

This is pure speculation on my part. But so is most of the stuff that's been said about Harbs lately.

[needle]

As a Michigan Man he went to Ann Arbor to deliver a real championship.   Anything less would have been a failure.   Now that he has done that, he can leave and always be hailed as the Michigan Man that delivered the coveted national championship.

Also, prior to the 2023 season, he had yet to experience suspensions for 6 games.

Maybe he stays, maybe he doesn't, but I think those most fond of the EUTM era tend to forget that Harbaugh was looking for that next step the entire time.  Even winning a title with a loaded Michigan program is not enough to stop NFL rumors AND FWIW not enough for JH to tell media types during interviews that he will stay at Michigan next year.

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions. OTOH, I  am sure there are places in the NFL he could get the head coach job. He will possibly have to accept conditions that he doesn't want, like a GM having control over personnel. JH might not be willing to accept that, for instance. Going forward, JH has many opportunities but IMO most are not  "all good" for him. Finding the "optimal" path is probably difficult.

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the possibility that the looming NCAA investigation makes him more likely to stay at Michigan. It's pretty clear that Harbaugh is adamant that almost anything the NCAA does is wrongheaded and borderline malicious. He speaks frequently about wanting a better CFB that includes payment of players. Is it such a leap to think that he might view the NCAA case as a cause celebre that can ultimately advance what he views as a better version of CFB oversight?

This is pure speculation on my part. But so is most of the stuff that's been said about Harbs lately.

[Goose]

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the possibility that the looming NCAA investigation makes him more likely to stay at Michigan. It's pretty clear that Harbaugh is adamant that almost anything the NCAA does is wrongheaded and borderline malicious. He speaks frequently about wanting a better CFB that includes payment of players. Is it such a leap to think that he might view the NCAA case as a cause celebre that can ultimately advance what he views as a better version of CFB oversight?

This is pure speculation on my part. But so is most of the stuff that's been said about Harbs lately.

Agree we are all speculating. In fact part of my speculation is that Harbs himself hasn't decided what he will do. It depends on what his options really are, which the public doesn't actually know.

As far as the looming NCAA investigation regarding impermissible scouting, it is difficult to imagine why Harbaugh would believe it can ever result in in improving his credibility and influence toward creating a "better" CFB.  Almost no matter how it comes out, he was either party to cheating or negligent in supervising those who did cheat. How does that help him? The investigation of impermissible contact case and subsequently lying about it is done. The only thing remaining is the announcement of the penalties. Again, hard to see how these things help his position of influence in college football. I guess he could believe that it does, but I can't see how. It is also true that Michigan has made it very clear there are limitations to how much the University has his back with the NCAA.

IMO it is much more probable that JH believes that the NCAA will not go after and seriously sanction a coach who has just won the national championship. That scenario isn't impossible.  JH may decide to ride it out, as he believes it won't be onerous. It appears that admitting to having lied to the NCAA is a showstopper for JH based on what he has said. If that requirement disappears, JH may be willing to absorb some sanctions and remain at Michigan.

[Goose]

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the possibility that the looming NCAA investigation makes him more likely to stay at Michigan. It's pretty clear that Harbaugh is adamant that almost anything the NCAA does is wrongheaded and borderline malicious. He speaks frequently about wanting a better CFB that includes payment of players. Is it such a leap to think that he might view the NCAA case as a cause celebre that can ultimately advance what he views as a better version of CFB oversight?

This is pure speculation on my part. But so is most of the stuff that's been said about Harbs lately.

Agree we are all speculating. In fact part of my speculation is that Harbs himself hasn't decided what he will do. It depends on what his options really are, which the public doesn't actually know.

As far as the looming NCAA investigation regarding impermissible scouting, it is difficult to imagine why Harbaugh would believe it can ever result in in improving his credibility and influence toward creating a "better" CFB.  Almost no matter how it comes out, he was either party to cheating or negligent in supervising those who did cheat. How does that help him? The investigation of impermissible contact case and subsequently lying about it is done. The only thing remaining is the announcement of the penalties. Again, hard to see how these things help his position of influence in college football. I guess he could believe that it does, but I can't see how. It is also true that Michigan has made it very clear there are limitations to how much the University has his back with the NCAA.

IMO it is much more probable that JH believes that the NCAA will not go after and seriously sanction a coach who has just won the national championship. That scenario isn't impossible.  JH may decide to ride it out, as he believes it won't be onerous. It appears that admitting to having lied to the NCAA is a showstopper for JH based on what he has said. If that requirement disappears, JH may be willing to absorb some sanctions and remain at Michigan.

[Snorlax94]

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions.

I think Harbaugh leaves:
1) the firing of Pete Carrol and the deterioration of Belichick just shows you gotta do the NFL when you’re young. The clock is ticking on Harbaugh and you know the Superbowl ring is his ultimate prize. Carrol won the Superbowl when he was 62, and he got fired at 72, and Harbaugh is 60.

2) The beauty of leaving Michigan now is that you know they will always welcome him back, no matter the penalties. College has more job stability for your later years in life, especially when it’s your Alma Mater and you’ve delivered in the past.

3) Harbaugh leaves, Michigan is sanctioned,its wins vacated, its scholarships and bowl appearances possibly reduced. Years later he can always come back after Michigan has served all the punishments and prostrated itself and apologized as an institution. Pretty sweet, actually.

[Snorlax94]

While I think this point of view has a lot of merit, I also believe that Harbaugh, like many "successful" people, is always looking for the next challenge and is also willing to re-define "success" dynamically. He is going to face some NCAA headwinds next year, and those headwinds would arguably significantly de-value what he has accomplished. He also doesn't want to be forced to admit he was "less than truthful" to the NCAA.

He can avoid basically all of that by moving on to the next challenge. The NCAA won't chase him if he is gone. It will be a lot easier to display EUTM if he isn't under some kind of NCAA cloud, even if in the end he could avoid more suspensions. He can declare victory and move on, or he can stay and fight it out. I am betting on the former, but I also think it depends on the NFL offers. Unlike most on this board (it seems), I don't think there are NFL teams lining up to take JH. He has baggage that raises questions.

I think Harbaugh leaves:
1) the firing of Pete Carrol and the deterioration of Belichick just shows you gotta do the NFL when you’re young. The clock is ticking on Harbaugh and you know the Superbowl ring is his ultimate prize. Carrol won the Superbowl when he was 62, and he got fired at 72, and Harbaugh is 60.

2) The beauty of leaving Michigan now is that you know they will always welcome him back, no matter the penalties. College has more job stability for your later years in life, especially when it’s your Alma Mater and you’ve delivered in the past.

3) Harbaugh leaves, Michigan is sanctioned,its wins vacated, its scholarships and bowl appearances possibly reduced. Years later he can always come back after Michigan has served all the punishments and prostrated itself and apologized as an institution. Pretty sweet, actually.