Friday, December 26, 2014

Michigan Friday: Is No News Good News?

In this case it is.  The internet is busting at the seams that it's a done deal and Jimmy will be announced on Tuesday.   Everybody has a relative with a connection to the U of M athletic department who is validating that timeline.

Not much to report with the holiday but here a couple things........................


When Jimmy smiles it's news:
 Matt Barrows         @mattbarrows

Asked if he got UMich's Twitter birthday greeting yesterday, Jim Harbaugh (big smile) said, "I got a lot of birthday wishes."
Told today the Jets are unlikely landing spot for Jim Harbaugh. They interviewed him when they hired Rex. Woody wasn't impressed.

Dolphins won't have an opening

The Falcons are 50/50 if they will have an opening as they have a home game to make the playoffs and win the division. 

The Bears are cheap and not expected to make a run due to Jimmy's salary. 

That leaves the Raiders

Why it would make sense:
  • Family could stay put
  • The Raiders would probably pay his contract demands
  • Jim's first paid coaching gig was the QB coach for the Raiders in 2002 (Did you know that Jim was an unpaid assistant for WKU from 94-01?  That was news to me)
  • Draft picks from the Raiders are very valuable
  • Seems to have a good young QB for the future
Why it doesn't make sense:
  • One of the worst franchises in sports
  • Could be moving back to LA in a year or so (which negates the family staying home)
  • Rooney Rule.  Hiring Jimmy on Monday would break the Rooney rule.  
  • Do the 49'ers really want Jimmy going to it's rival and doing well?
  • If the Raiders put an unbelievable package full of draft picks, etc.  Do you think a coach would really want to take that job after losing all those picks?
  • Jimmy has been keeping his alma mater, friends and former teammates on the line for a month now.  If he jumps last minute to one of the worst job's in the NFL, his current Michigan standing will be damaged forever.
  • His brother has a ring and he doesn't.  Yes, but the Raiders are maybe 5+ years away from being a Super Bowl contender.
I like where we stand right now.  I hope Hackett can close the deal on Monday and Jimmy is in A2 on Tuesday.

BTW: Sam Webb's percentage of landing Jimmy is up to 80% yesterday.   If he keeps the 5% a day percentage increase he will be at 100% on Monday.  Interesting.

4 comments:

Renegade said...

"... Jimmy will be announced on Tuesday". Curious as to where you are getting this from. Haven't read it anywhere else.

In Harbaugh we trust said...

First off I'd like to wish all of u at the blog and all the readers a merry Xmas and happy new year...now weeks ago we were all angry when everybody said Jim would never end up here...now all we hear us that he is on his way..trust me I'm excited but like everybody has been saying for weeks Jimmy can change like the wind...if Oakland is desperate they can offer the moon and the stars..I want this to happen but we all must be patient

Renegade said...

Just found another reference about Tuesday night: http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/12/26/7451843/jim-harbaugh-michigan-hiring-rumors-49ers

Unknown said...

Why would he have been a paid asst. At wku when he was still playing?