NC Game. M 34, W 13.

[Cody_Russell]

I feel like John U Bacon has said that exact same thing a dozen times over the last couple of years. Nothing new.

Imagine that M fans will be fired up with the chants at the celebration today. More so the indoors event tonight at Crisler Center. “1 more year” for JJ and “We want Harbaugh” or something like that for Harbaugh. I will toon in if it’s streamed.

[edindetroit]

We sent Saban in to retirement and DeBoer to the SEC to replace him so he doesn't have to face Michigan anymore. Well perhaps they will meet in the playoffs again.

https://sports.yahoo.com/its-official-alabama-hires-washingtons-kalen-deboer-to-replace-nick-saban-192743979.html

[lineygoblue]

420522540_883780907090343_5848322362693726084_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dd5e9f&_nc_ohc=g7oQpPxC5-QAX9vugdK&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC-4_Qbe-lSMbJKuNRx1Iy_AVwAJvI4nTYZ8edyfgWdaQ&oe=65B06103.

When Troy Aikman saw Harbaugh sitting in the stands, he said "I hope he's in the NFL next year, because he's going to make someone a heckuva coach".

Well, Troy. He's already someone's heckuva coach. Too bad those in authority at U-M don't realize that. There's nobody available that would do a better job. Even with the impending doom from the NCAA, he's worth keeping as the HC at Michigan. About a year from now, Michigan will be kicking itself that they allowed him to get away. And the folks in LA will be saying thank you.

Sherrone Moore is a fine position coach, and a great human being, but he's not the HC that Harbaugh is.

[Mike]

Harbaugh has had a 10 year/$125M contract offer from UM on the table for months.

[lineygoblue]

I think Harbaugh has earned the right to have what he's asking for, including the immunity. When the NCAA comes down with its 'punishment', they're going to hit Harbaugh, even if he didn't have direct knowledge of the stuff that was going on, because "he should have known" what was going on in the program. The NCAA hates Harbaugh, and they don't exactly love Michigan either, so I'm sure that their punishment will be magnified by a lot more than it would toward a favored school or coach. This is what Harbaugh wants protection from. So give it to him.

There's nobody waiting in the wings that can do a better job than Harbaugh. Sherrone Moore has never run an entire program before. He'd be in way over his head. M needs to sign the guy they already have and stand with him over the NCAA's nonsense.

But, they won't, .. if history tells us anything.

[Niffla]

Been meaning to stop by and say...epic season, gents. What a wild ride. It still doesn't feel quite real that it actually happened.

Love you guys.

Go Blue

[lineygoblue]

All of the last three seasons have had some great memories for this old guy. The players set some goals for themselves and worked their tails off to achieve them. I'm very proud of them and always will be.

[Mike]

Greatest Michigan team of all time. Greatest Big Ten team of all time. Legends.

[lineygoblue]

Greatest Michigan team of all time. Greatest Big Ten team of all time. Legends.

Yeah, I'd have difficulty finding a better Michigan team than these guys, or even finding their equal. The 1997 team was tough as nails, and won the NC with less talent (IMO) even considering that C. Woodson was on the roster. This team had excellent talent spread throughout the roster, but none of them were media darlings. Just tough football players on a mission, and it was mission accomplished.

On another subject, it looks like this Harbaugh situation could be dragged out until mid-February, that is if he decides to stay with Michigan. There's something about February 15th where he's made the demand for immunity to begin at that point.

At last report, the Chargers are (supposedly) going to offer Harbaugh a contract for $16 - $18 Million per year, likely by the end of this week. That could be what tips the scales. Harbaugh is taking a 2nd interview with the Falcons, which is a bit surprising to me, because I thought the Falcons were going to sign Belichick. Maybe its a Rooney Rule thing.

This whole thing has more twists than a greased snake.

[Mike]

The immunity thing buys him time with Michigan fans so they can say "See? He wants to be at Michigan but the AD is dithering". If he gets an NFL offer, he's gone. Michigan is the safety date to the big dance in case someone better doesn't come along. You don't interview for multiple jobs unless you are looking for a new job. I've certainly never gone through that process just for the fun of it.

[Dr. Strangelove]

It's called COACHING IMMUNITY and it's very important, very powerful. We need our coaches to have total immunity else they would - think about this, unbelievable - they would be scared to make any decision because they could be arrested. It's a total disgrace.

[lineygoblue]

I think the immunity that Coach Harbaugh is seeking, is the type that protects him from punishment that hits him indirectly. Guilt by association. "He should have known what his subordinates were doing" type of stuff. That's where its anticipated that the NCAA will hit Michigan hard, in effect punishing both the institution, and the coach that they want gone. Harbaugh wants protection by his employer that guarantees that they will protect him from this type of punishment, because nobody has proven that he actually knew about Stalion's activities, nor did he put him up to it. The NCAA does not care about facts, they care about punishment, and how much they can get away with. If Harbaugh is going to remain at Michigan, he wants assurances that M isn't going to lie down and take whatever the NCAA comes down with. He wants the school to be willing to fight in court, should it come to that. The history of Michigan's administration is that they are much too willing to leave their coaches out to dry, and do everything possible to protect the school, including letting the coach take all the punishment and scorn. They did that to Steve Fisher, and they'll also do it to Harbaugh, without the immunity he's seeking.

There is no doubt that this is all about the NCAA wanting to get rid of Harbaugh. Nobody will be happier, than the leadership of the NCAA, should Harbaugh take an NFL job. Harbaugh has been outspoken on getting players compensated, and treated generally better by the NCAA. Those subjects are anathema to the NCAA, and cannot be tolerated, because there are literally billions of dollars at stake, and they don't want players getting in on that. Because if you pay football players, you're also going to have to pay the women's golf team, the gymnastics teams, the volleyball teams, and all the rest. That cannot happen, as far as the NCAA is concerned.

ESPN/ABC/Disney is right. This isn't all about Harbaugh buying a kid a hamburger, or whether a subordinate had friends shoot video at a future opponent's game. This is about the NCAA wanting a voice for the players silenced, and silenced permanently. The NCAA will not rest until he is silenced, and out of the NCAA. That... is what is going on here.

[Mike]

Speaking of which... Harbaugh and the Chargers are meeting for a second time this week.

[lineygoblue]

Yeah, both the Falcons and Chargers seem to have real interest in Harbs. I haven't heard of any other team wanting to talk to him.

[Jeff Buchanan]

IMO, and of course I'm based, is that what JH is asking for in his contract is reasonable. He's seeking immunity against arbitrary decisions from the BIG or NCAA not based in fact or due process. Obviouly, setting a precedent in CFB HC contracts like this, would severely weaken the NCAA as more coaches started asking for provisions like JH's in their contracts. I don't think the deciders at M want to be the precedent setters here.

Sure, one can argue that M signed up to be an NCAA member and is bound to follow the rules. I don't think anyone with a brain believes the antiquated and convoluted NCAA rule book doesn't need to be re-worked to better serve college sports or, better yet, the P5 school Presidents need to act collectively and abandon the NCAA as the governing body of the emerging conference realignment. Throw in the massive changes to the money sports brought about by NIL and the portal, none of this properly addressed by the NCAA yet, and there are good reasons for most P5 teams to abandon the NCAA - I think Harbaugh has voiced in subtle tones this very thing. So, Liney is right about the NCAA, looking to survive, wanting JH gone.

Looking at M's history of dealing with the NCAA, I very much doubt the deciders will grant the contract provisions JH is seeking. It would be precedent establishing. You should know the faculty senate will oppose Ono's efforts, or any other M employees efforts who support doing what is necessary to keep JH as M's HC. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that Harbaugh is going to the NFL, if he gets an offer. If he doesn't, we have a completely different ball game as Harbaugh loses leverage.