Michigan Head Coach Search: Latest Buzz on Jim Harbaugh and More
Brady Hoke had a disastrous tenure as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, and now the historic football program is in the market for a successor to take the team into a new, superior era. Jim Harbaugh, Les Miles and Sean Payton were among high-profile coaches recently linked to the job opening. However, Harbaugh is expected to be announced as the team's new head coach on Tuesday.
Continue for updates.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Harbaugh Reportedly Accepts Michigan Position, Press Conference Planned for Tuesday
Monday, Dec. 29
"Jim Harbaugh has agreed to take the Michigan job, per source. Done deal," reported Albert Breer of NFL.com.
"Michigan has told its biggest boosters a deal for Jim Harbaugh is done and a press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, per sources," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter.
On Sunday, Harbaugh and the 49ers mutually parted ways, allowing Harbaugh to seek other coaching opportunities. When asked about the Michigan position, "There will be announcements made," Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Dan Murphy.
Harbaugh Reportedly Expected to Accept Michigan's Offer
Saturday, Dec. 27
Bleacher Report's Jason Cole provides details on Michigan's pursuit of Harbaugh:
"Two members of the San Francisco 49ers staff and a third NFL source said Saturday they expect that 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will accept a six-year, $48 million contract to become the head coach of the University of Michigan.
"That's what everybody on staff believes is going to happen this week," one of the sources said. "Jim has figured out that his style is best-suited for the college game. His shtick works better with young guys who are gone after three or four years.
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Dave Feldman of CSN confirms:
49ers right tackle Anthony Davis took to Twitter for his thoughts:
"I just looked Harbaugh in his eyes and thanked him for leading us to some of the best times of our lives. Give Respect when it's Due.
— Bam Davis (@AnthonyDavis76) December 28, 2014"
"It's only right. I wish him the best on his next Coaching Job. If you google it you'll see where that will be...
— Bam Davis (@AnthonyDavis76) December 28, 2014"
Michigan, 49ers Reportedly Have Deal in Place
Friday, Dec. 26
CBS 5's Joe Pequeno has the latest report on Harbaugh:
Michigan Officials to Attend 49ers Game
Friday, Dec. 26
CBS 5's Joe Pequeno has the latest on Harbaugh:
Baalke Confirms Michigan Contact
Tuesday, Dec. 23
49ers general manager Trent Baalke confirmed that Michigan had contacted the team regarding head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to the Toledo Blade:
"San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke confirmed that Michigan has contacted the organization about the possibility of hiring Jim Harbaugh.
"I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly," Baalke told 95.7 The Game, a San Francisco sports-talk radio station, Monday night. "As I look at it, it's very simple. He's the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers."
Baalke reiterated that Harbaugh's future with the 49ers would not be addressed until after the final regular-season game on Sunday against Arizona. Harbaugh has one season left on his 5-year, $25-million contract with San Francisco.
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Joe Pequeno of CBS 4 in Arizona reported that sources indicated Harbaugh was leaning towards accepting the Michigan job:
Harbaugh Not the Only NFL Coach Considered by Michigan
Sunday, Dec. 21
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Michigan is interested in a few current NFL head coaches to potentially fill its own vacant position:
"While the University of Michigan's interest in Jim Harbaugh has sprung a cottage industry, and garnered daily attention, it remains far more likely Harbaugh remains in the NFL in 2015 according to numerous sources close to the coach, while the school is exploring several NFL options, knowing that Harbaugh may well reject their overtures again.
[...]
Michigan has maintained a desire to land Harbaugh's brother, John, as well, sources said, but the Ravens coach has made it clear he has no interest in leaving Baltimore. Other NFL coaches on the school's radar include New Orleans' Sean Payton, Buffalo's Doug Marrone and Dallas' Jason Garrett (who is expected to sign an extension with the Cowboys shortly after the season).
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Harbaugh Reportedly Torn Between Michigan, NFL
Friday, Dec. 19
ESPN's Adam Schefter has the latest on Harbaugh:
"San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's family and friends have been encouraging him to take the University of Michigan head coaching job, but he is torn because his heart is in the NFL, per sources close to the situation.
Harbaugh first would like to see what head coaching opportunities come available -- and he is likely to be a top choice for a handful of teams -- before getting back to Michigan with an answer, per sources.Harbaugh's wife also is said to be open and on board to him going back to Ann Arbor if that's what he wants, per sources.
While some have pointed out that recruiting would be a challenge, it is one that does not concern Harbaugh, per sources. Harbaugh believes he has successfully recruited before and he would do so again if he returned to college.He also is aware of the fact that Michigan might not be able to wait for him, especially when it might not even land the coach who is believed to be the school's top choice. Plus, college football recruiting is in full swing. The longer a school waits, the more of a disadvantage it can be. It leaves both sides in a tough and delicate spot, even though they have mutual interest in each other, per sources.
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Harbaugh Declines to Comment on Michigan
Thursday, Dec. 18
Dan Murphy of ESPN provides Harbaugh's response to a question on Thursday about the Michigan job:
Steve Addazio Receives Extension from Boston College
Thursday, Dec. 18
Boston College announced it has extended Addazio's contract. Addazio was a potential Michigan candidate, according to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated.
Harbaugh Reportedly Receives Massive Offer from Michigan
Wednesday, Dec. 17
San Francisco 49ers coach and former Michigan quarterback Harbaugh has been a buzzed-about big name and will continue to be now that the 49ers are out of the NFL playoff race.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Wednesday that Michigan isn't relenting in courting Harbaugh, even though he turned down the Wolverines' first pass:
ESPN's Adam Schefter notes another detail:
"Multiple NFL and Michigan sources had said for weeks that 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was not expected to wind up at Michigan, but in recent days at least one person familiar with his thinking said he was at least "considering it."
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Dan Duggan of NJ.com weighed in on Harbaugh's reported mega-offer from Michigan:
Another potential alumni for the Wolverines job is LSU coach Les Miles, though he's denied interest and indicated he's not a real candidate as recently as Monday.
"I enjoy the players, these guys I'm capable of coaching," said Miles, per NOLA.com's Jim Kleinpeter. "There's a tradition and a culture here we've kind of established. The young men that come in here really enjoy stepping into this room and being a part of that culture."
Miles seems to be more of a pipe dream, as he's built an exceptional program in Baton Rouge and has superior competition and talent in the SEC.
One positive for whoever succeeds Hoke is that even a marginal improvement made in the first couple of years should keep the new coach in the fans' good graces.
Harbaugh is just the type of coach to turn Michigan around quickly. He built Stanford into a national contender from the bottom up and took the 49ers to three NFC Championship Games in as many years to start his NFL head coaching career.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
