By MIke Florio of Pro Football Talk As Jim Harbaugh commences his Third Annual NFL Flirtation Tour, he continues to negotiate a new contract at Michigan. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reports that Harbaugh seeks an “unusual” protection in his next Wolverine contract regarding the possibility of future NCAA punishment. Specifically, Wetzel reports that Harbaugh wants “language that would grant him immunity from termination from any finding or sanction that could arise from multiple current NCAA investigations.” In other words, Michigan would commit to not firing him, in the event the NCAA drops the hammer so hard that firing him would be the only real option. While Michigan could agree to pay out the contract even in the event of a “for-cause” termination arising from NCAA sanctions, it would be difficult for Michigan to agree to keep him on the job. The NCAA could eventually issue a decision compelling Michigan to “show cause” as to why the university should not be penalized if it continues to employ him.
Seriously, I'm not sure why so many starters are leaving especially on offense. The new Head Coach is supposed to be an offense oriented guy and everyone on this team is surrounded by highly ranked teammates. It could be NIL, I guess but other than that I'm not sure all of the are bettering their situation.
I see that Major Applewhite got the South Alabama job. He was the OCoord of the team., I thought he was still an analyst at Bama. Makes me wonder what is going to happen to all of the analysts that Nick had.
Bill O'Brien to Ohio State as the OCoord? I've never liked that guy, esp when he was the Texans HC. Whats going to happen to Brian Hartline?
Personally I like the choice and am anxious to see the results. This does not necessarily mean anything bad for Hartline, at least in my opinion. It was more of a title for a raise than actually being involved in the offense other than coaching the receivers.
Didn't see that particular name coming tho in hindsight makes some sense. I think it became clear to Day that the demands to be a HC at this level in this day and age are such that retaining play calling duties was likely too much to be 100% effective at both. Hartline was really OC in name only to justify his pay raise, imo. He had input, but never was the play caller. Day toyed with giving up the duties but I think Hartline's lack of experience was a major hurdle. O'Brien brings tons of experience at both college and NFL levels and I think has a similar view as Day to offensive structure and concepts which has to ease the transition. I have to believe that Day sought assurances from Hartline that he would be comfortable with the move. As you would expect Hartline is much beloved in Columbus and by all accounts thus far will be staying on staff as Co-OC and WR Coach. In truth if you took a poll of Buckeye Nation and asked who'd they'd rather see leave the program Day or Hartline, Day's departure would be the overwhelming choice.
Interesting. I've heard (here) and read nothing but good things about Hartline. He certainly has done a great job recruiting and coaching tOSU's WRs. Is he a potential candidate for a HC job?
My two cents here, but Hartline has repeated at numerous times, he and his wife, have no desire to leave Columbus. To me that means a head coaching job may not be his top priority?
I agree Don. In our favor is a few things, 1) native Ohioan, alum and diehard Buckeye to his core, 2) fairly successful 7 year NFL career, made $20 million or so back in the day when $20 million was a lot of $$$$ so money doesn't seem to be a driving force behind his life decisions, 3) he has business interests and deep roots in Columbus, 4) he and his wife have 3 young children. That's my story and I'm sticking to it....all the while praying he doesn't leave as he has a few more young 1st Rounders to develop in that WR room.
I haven't verified this but somebody posted that when BOB was the OCoord for the Pats they never won the Super Bowl and at Alabama they didn't win a Natty while he was there. On the other hand Charlie Weis won 3 Super Bowls as the OCoord ! Not so much with the Irish. Go figure. Other tidbit, when George O'Leary was hired to coach the Irish, he was bringing BOB to South Bend with him as the OCoord. Didn't work out of course.
15-9 at Penn State. Winning records 5 of 6 seasons with Texans. Four AFC South Championships. Coached Bryce Young in 2021 and 2022. Bad year with Patriots last year. We'll see.
More BOB defense; What Bill O’Brien’s track record says about the ceiling of Ohio State’s offense and quarterback in 2024