Bobda, thank you for your insightful and intelligent assessment. As an ND fan, I can relate to your comment about M fans overestimating the present value of the M brand. I also agree that he's done a good job of lifting M from the "sinkhole" (excellent word) of the RR and Hoke eras. I would speculate that if he is offered the Minnesota job and declines, he'd return to M in good graces with the fans. Pure speculation as I don't have a wolverine in the fight. In some respects, I see this as similar to the Kelly situation at ND, but I don't believe Harbaugh ever would be caught making a dumb video like we just saw (and can't unsee) with Kelly.
Looks like a good chance that Bill O'Briens stay at Alabama could be short now that the Patriots are in the market for a new OCoord.
It seems that Fickell is at the top of the wish list followed by Campbell, Rhule, and Stoops of KY. However, writers who carry some credibility think it quite possible that M follows ND’s path and promotes from within with Gattis and Hart being the likeliest choices. Amazing how in a few months, the mood of the fan base has gone from unrestrained euphoria after beating OSU and Iowa to anger and depression.
Gator fan base in pretty good shape. We got the guy we wanted, he has hired a big staff like the big 3 in the SEC and mostly salvaged this recruiting season from disaster and has gotten some very good players from the Portal and will probably get a few more. Like the Gator future but we won't compete for Championships this coming season.
Will be interesting to find out who turned down whom and why? The Michigan internet faithful are happy. Kind of like welcoming the wife back home with open arms after she decided that her fling with the Portuguese pool boy might not turn out great in the long term. Seriously, I don’t blame Harbaugh for looking and think it is better for the program that he stayed but right now the last month has left me kind of apathetic about next season as it would make no sense for a coach to job hunt if he really believed he was on the precipice of big things at his current job.
Of course I have nothing but speculation, but I bet he was never seriously interested in the Vikings job.
I can’t see him undergoing a month of intense public scrutiny, burning up goodwill of a rabid fan base, and flying out of Ann Arbor at the start of a blizzard in a small, twin-prop airplane if he were not serious. Per a Minnesota based writer of the Athletic, no offer was made by the Vikings.
Bobda, this is an interesting article on Harbaugh in light of his recent foray. Father of Michigan enrollee shares what Jim Harbaugh said about NFL jobs - Sports Illustrated
If nothing else, it's got to have an impact of M recruiting when opposing coaches can point to a future flight by the HC to the pros. The article Sid posted is just more fuel on the fire.
Well, on the plus side, Izzo (Cavs) and Coach K (Lakers) interviewed for pro jobs and their programs did not miss a beat because of it. On the debit side, both Izzo and K are on the good side of the crazy line while our Jimmy sped across that line with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind back in the second grade. Our madman can coach and will not be outworked but M fans who think they are embarking on a smooth journey when the driver looks like he just consumed his 15th Red Bull before 10 AM are living it a different reality than me.
Harsin may be in trouble at Auburn. Rumors of extramarital affair, disgruntled coaching staff and transferring staters. Auburn administration and influential boosters make.stability difficult.
Amazing how social media can turn a relatively anonymous person into a subject of national attention in hours.