Harbaugh not interested in Mich.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- " ..... Candidates might include Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, a former Wolverines quarterback,



Stanford spokesman would not say whether Michigan had asked for permission to speak with him. His brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, said he thought "the Michigan thing is done now."

"I think that's over. I don't think he's interested in doing that," he said Tuesday on WBAL radio in Baltimore. "That's hard for him because he loves Michigan."



"I personally believe that Jim Harbaugh is headed to the NFL, that's my opinion," Brandon said."

From reading those quotes, Harbaugh is in fact interested in the Michigan job but the negotiations broke down and they don't feel like they will be resumed.

Either way. Whatever. I read the whole article on Sports Illustrated.com - he's not interested. The reason was not given. Neither is Les Miles. Perhaps SDSU's Hoke is. All good.

ok....well, post it so we can all read it. From the quote that says "It is hard for him because he Loves Michigan" it indicates to me that Harbaugh would love to coach at michigan but the circumstances don't work for him.

I think you read too much "between the lines. It's not that the negotiations broke down - they never got going. Harbaugh is the hottest Coach in Football today to hire - College & the NFL. Here's who has expressed interest in him - Michigan, 49ers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins (flying Harbaugh to Miami & they have not fired their current Coach).





ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit: Jim Harbaugh to U-M 'wishful thinking'

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News



ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit admits now that maybe it's been "wishful thinking" on his part that Jim Harbaugh will return home to coach Michigan.



Even Herbstreit, who has publicly touted Harbaugh, currently the Stanford head coach who is being strongly courted by NFL teams, as a great fit for Michigan, now thinks that marriage might not materialize.





Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon fired Rich Rodriguez on Wednesday after three seasons and a 15-22 record, and said he is launching a national coaching search.



Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback, was thought to be the front-runner for the Michigan vacancy, but recent reports suggest he will end up with and NFL team.



"I think Jim Harbaugh is great for college football," Herbstreit said Thursday during an ESPN teleconference. "I think his energy, his passion, his competitive spirit, the same spirit he had as a player, he has a head coach. (But) all these stories and now the Dolphins flying there and potentially offering him to be the highest paid NFL coach, maybe all these things are too much for him to consider going to Michigan.



"I think he fits in perfectly in college. More than competing to win games, he's affecting 18- to 22-year-old young men in a positive way. I think he's a great guy. I think he has an edge to him that's fun and I think it would bring a lot of spirit to the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. So I'm holding out hope that somehow someway he'll want to come back to Ann Arbor, but it does seem like more and more as time passes he'll be headed to the NFL."



Meanwhile, while Brandon said the next coach does not have to have Michigan ties, two candidates with Michigan ties have emerged as potentially serious candidates.



LSU coach Les Miles is a former Michigan player and assistant coach and currently is preparing the Tigers for Friday's Cotton Bowl. San Diego State coach Brady Hoke, a former Michigan assistant, has made it perfectly clear to his current employer that Michigan is his dream job.

frdbtr wrote:
ok....well, post it so we can all read it. From the quote that says "It is hard for him because he Loves Michigan" it indicates to me that Harbaugh would love to coach at michigan but the circumstances don't work for him.

No - Harbaugh loves Michigan - but he does not see it as a good fit for his career aspirations. He sees himself in the NFL. He can pretty much go where he wants to. I would stay @ Stanford if I were him. His QB (Luck) just annouced today he is returning to Stanford & not filing for the NFL Draft. Huge for the team, Stanford & Harbaugh should he stay. Unlikely though.

It blows me away how guys become "the hottest coach". Don't get me wrong, Harbaugh has been a good coach, he has put stanford on the map. Having said that. If you were currently the GM of an NFL team, who would you go after? Bill Cower (super bowl winner and proven winner in the nfl). John Gruden (Super Bowl winner and proven winner in the NFL), or Jim Harbaugh (Good coach, proven winner in college but no NFL experience). To me it is a no brainer. Harbaugh may turn out to be a terrific head coach in the NFL, he may also be another Nick Saben, Lane Kiffin, or the guy that went from Louisville to atlanta (can't remember his name, seems like he quit half way through his first season).

Agreed! Remember 3 years ago - Rich Rodriguez was the "Hottest Coach" in the Nation. Alabama wanted to hire him, Michigan got him - and "Rodriguez was going to turn things around big time!! Not.



So - is Harbaugh a good Coach? Sure. Is he the "Best Coach in the Nation?" No. Not at all. He is fortunate to have a good QB & solid players. The result of good recruiting. Bueno for him!! Recruiting is a HUGE part of the college game (hence Doman's value plus other items). He will land in the NFL somewhere - do a good job - but - probably won't be a "turnaround savior." Recruiting plays zero role in the NFL. Steve Spurrier found that the NFL is a rugged place to hack out a living. We shall see. My advice to Harbaugh - stay @ Stanford!! At least for a few more years. There are always openings in the NFL at the of the season.



Go Cougs!!

Latest on Harbaugh (as of Friday1/7) is that he flew to Miami on Thursday to nterview for the Miami Dolphin H.C. job. But - the talks broke down & he returned to California.



San Francisco 49ers are still interested. John Elway & the Broncos are still interested.



Insiders feel - the break down interview yesterday & the announcement by Andrew Luck poing to the increased possibility that Harbaugh will return to Stanford.



Also - Harbaugh has talked to his people @ Stanford & they have made an offer to him that "sweetens the pie." Stanford would like to keep their Coach. Details not available. Interesting eh????



Go Cougs!!