HEADLINES

Jim Harbaugh

Latest on Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

December 19th, 2014 at 3:36pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jim Harbaugh has been in the news recently, as the 49ers have been eliminated from playoff contention and tensions between him and the organization have culminated in a disappointing season. Harbaugh’s alma mater, the University of Michigan, has reportedly offered him a mammoth $48MM contract to be their head coach.

Here are a few notes regarding Harbaugh’s purported next coaching stop:

  • Harbaugh’s family and friends have encouraged him to take the job coaching the University of Michigan, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN. However, Harbaugh still wants to coach in the NFL, even if it is with a team besides the 49ers. He will likely wait for NFL jobs to come open in order to see what is available before getting back to Michigan regarding their opening. Schefter also writes that NFL teams may not be willing to open up the checkbooks as wide as Michigan is, as the Wolverines are starved to return to their winning ways.
  • One job that has not become available yet that Harbaugh might be interested is with the Dolphins, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN. If the Dolphins decide to move on from Joe Philbin, he may be a top candidate as his replacement. The organization pursued him very adamantly the last time he was available, and could be interested again.
  • Despite reports that Harbaugh is set on staying in the NFL, Marcellus Wiley of ESPN reports that he has two sources that confirm Harbaugh will be the next head coach at the University of Michigan (via Twitter). According to Wiley, the announcement will come after the NFL season.
  • Not everyone is sold on Harbaugh leaving for college however, and one adamant doubter is Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. He writes that the move for Harbaugh to return to college, after the NFL success he has experienced, would be unprecedented. He writes that while it is not impossible, that it would be surprising to see him make that move.

Latest On Joe Philbin, Dolphins

December 19th, 2014 at 9:30am CST by Dallas Robinson

With a record of 7-7, the Dolphins sit in third place in the AFC East, and while they’re not technically eliminated from playoff contention, a postseason berth is extremely unlikely — after Sunday’s lost to the Patriots, Miami’s playoff odds dropped from 21% to 0%, per Football Outsiders. Although parts of the Dolphins’ season have been encouraging — the development of Ryan Tannehill, a defense that played extremely well until falling off recently — it’s largely been a disappointing year in South Beach. Fans hoping for a coaching staff overhaul might be out of luck, however, as sources tell Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald that owner Stephen Ross hasn’t shown a willingness to fire head coach Joe Philbin.

The Dolphins have been linked to 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who is expected to part ways with San Francisco after this season. Harbaugh has reportedly received a six-year offer from the University of Michigan, believed to be worth nearly $50MM. Whether or not Miami (or any other interested club) would be forced to match that total is unclear, as some believe that Harbaugh would prefer to remain in the NFL ranks. Ross & Co. have tried to lure Harbaugh to Miami before — the team tried to bring him into the fold in 2011, but ultimately gave Tony Sparano an extension when their Harbaugh efforts failed.

For his part, Philbin refuses to discuss his future with the team past 2014. “I’ve talked to [Ross] often, but what we discuss is private,” said Philbin. “I’m not worried about my future. I’m worried about the Minnesota Vikings (the Dolphins’ next opponent). That’s it.” Since taking over in Miami in 2012, Philbin has a record of 22-24, with the team finishing second and third, respectively, in the AFC East ’12 and ’13. The Dolphins have yet to make a playoff appearance during his tenure.

Beasley’s Herald colleague, Armando Salguero, is skeptical of the report, writing that it’s hard to believe that Ross wouldn’t want to acquire Harbaugh. In Salguero’s view, the Dolphins are merely signaling that they don’t wish to be used as leverage by Harbaugh, and that they won’t overpay for the 49ers coach. It’s an interesting theory, and one that makes some sense given both the recent failures in Miami and the club’s previous interest in Harbaugh.

Michigan Offers Jim Harbaugh $48MM Deal

December 17th, 2014 at 5:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The University of Michigan has its sights set on Jim Harbaugh and they’re not giving up. After initially being rebuffed by the polarizing coach, the Wolverines have upped their offer to a six-year, $48MM deal, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter).

A week ago, Harbaugh indicated to UM officials that he preferred to stay in the NFL, according to Rapoport, but this whopping offer might bring about a change of heart. It’s clear that the former Michigan quarterback is their top choice to take over for their coaching vacancy and with the 49ers out of the playoff picture, this could be the right time for them to strike. Harbaugh had previously indicated he wouldn’t give the Michigan gig serious consideration but a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter) that’s changed very recently.

Harbaugh is under contract through 2015 with San Francisco but there has been talk all season long that there are some in the front office and in the locker room that would like to see him go. Back in October, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that there was “no way” the 49ers would bring Harbaugh back for that season; not even if he won the Super Bowl.

The offer is potentially bad news for the Raiders, who have been said to have Harbaugh at or near the top of their list. With Jon Gruden effectively contracted to stay in the Monday Night Football booth through 2021, the Raiders would be dipping into their secondary tier of coaching candidates.

The Michigan deal would carry an average annual value of $8MM. Assuming that $48MM total is base salary and does not include incentives, it would make him the highest paid coach in college football, edging out Nick Saban of Alabama, who is earning $7.16MM this season before bonuses (h/t USA Today Sports).

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Coughlin, Philbin

December 14th, 2014 at 9:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Whether or not the 49ers‘ window is closed, head coach Jim Harbaugh’s time with the team may be in its waning moments. His relationship with CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke has deteriorated, and questions have arisen over his future with the team since before the 2014 season.

Harbaugh expects to meet with the organization about his future, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

“I’m always available to sit down with the owner and general manager, absolutely,” Harbaugh said. “Yes, at some point I expect that.”

Here are some other notes regarding coaches on the hot seat:

  • Giants‘ head coach Tom Coughlin has long been rumored to be at the end of his rope as the team’s head coach, due to his advanced age and the team’s poor performance. Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com believes coach Coughlin deserves one more year. O’Connor believes that his two Super Bowl rings have earned him the benefit of the doubt, and believes the organization owes him the opportunity to coach the phenomenal rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015.
  • After being blown out by the Patriots, the Dolphins should consider moving on from head coach Joe Philbin at season’s end, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. With the team’s playoff hopes nearly out the window, Salguero argues that anything short of two wins and an unlikely playoff berth would cement the season as another disappointment.
  • Buccaneers‘ head coach Lovie Smith has also been underwhelming, but the team would be unlikely to move on from him so soon, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Smith is in the first year of a five-year deal, and it would be unusual for the organization to make a move so early into the contract.

Kaepernick: “Not A Chance” Window Is Closed

December 14th, 2014 at 6:54pm CST by Rob DiRe

With the loss to the Seahawks today, the 49ers have officially been eliminated from playoff contention, ending a streak of three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances earlier than most fans and pundits would have expected before the season.

At 7-7 and with nothing to play for, the focus in San Francisco will turn to the ongoing drama concerning head coach Jim Harbaugh’s future in the NFL. It seems as if the Harbaugh rumors have been a cloud over the team for the entire season, and the tension between the coach and his bosses, CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke, seem irreparable.

However, the franchise quarterback Colin Kaepernick is not ready to give up on the coach who gave him his first shot to play in the NFL, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBAyArea.com. “I think we have great confidence in coach Harbaugh and this staff and everything we’re doing to make sure this team is prepared for Sundays,” Kaepernick said before the game against the Seahawks. “Things haven’t gone as smoothly as the last three seasons, so people start panicking and criticizing.”

When asked if he thought that this team’s window was closing, the quarterback answered very simply, “Not a chance.”

Harbaugh had been a big supporter of Kaepernick, who signed a year-to-year deal that made it easy for the organization to move on from him financially. However, Kaepernick’s job is not directly linked to Harbaugh, and the 49ers would likely be excited to see how he takes to a new system on offense, especially after the regression he has experienced as a passer this season.

Coaching Updates: Coughlin, Philbin, Broncos

December 14th, 2014 at 11:09am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at a few items regarding two head coaches who are on the hot seat and two more who might join the head coaching ranks in 2015:

  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Giants head coach Tom Coughlin wants to coach for another season, and there is no guarantee that New York will fire its long-time sideline general. Steve Serby of the New York Post adds that it is not time for Coughlin to be replaced.
  • Rapoport tweets that Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin‘s fate will be determined by how his team finishes the 2014 season. If Miami suffers another December swoon, Philbin’s job will be in jeopardy. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that if Philbin is fired, the team does not plan to pursue Jim Harbaugh, contrary to numerous reports stating otherwise.
  • Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that the Broncos can expect to replace both offensive coordinator Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after this season, as both are prime candidates to land head coaching gigs.

West Links: Seahawks, Raiders, Chargers

December 10th, 2014 at 9:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Following coach Gary Anderson‘s departure to Oregon State, a head coaching job at Wisconsin suddenly opened up. Both Albert Breer and ProFootballTalk (via Twitter) suggested that Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell would be a worthy candidate for the job.

The former Badgers quarterback was asked about the coaching vacancy following Seattle’s practice (via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times):

“Being a head coach someday is of interest to me. I would say I have thought about college. I don’t know exactly at this point where it would be or what it would be. But I do feel like I want to be a head coach someday.”

Bevell was the Badgers quarterback from 1992-1995, when he set several single-game and career passing records.

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFL’s western divisions…

  • Bill Williamson of ESPN.com writes that Jack Del Rio could be included in the Raiders inevitable head coaching search. “He has experience, he is doing well in his current job, he is from the East Bay Area and he is highly respected around the league,” Williamson says of the Broncos‘ defensive coordinator.
  • Williamson adds in a tweet that Jim Harbaugh would be the Raiders top choice for the job, noting that the 49ers coach is a more realistic target than Jon Gruden. However, the writer warns that securing Harbaugh’s services “may not be easy.”
  • The Chargers signed Mat McBriar yesterday, but that wasn’t the only punter the team looked at. According to Howard Balzer (on Twitter), the team also worked out Robert Malone, Zoltan Mesko and Brian Moorman.

49ers Notes: Tryouts, Kaepernick, Bowman

December 8th, 2014 at 7:27pm CST by Ben Levine

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was not a man of many words following his team’s loss to the lowly Raiders on Sunday. After the game, reporters wanted to question the coach’s future with the organization, but Harbaugh made his intentions clear.

“My priorities are: No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and our staff. And lastly, is what my personal/professional future is.”

So, does the coach want to remain with the 49ers next season?

“My priorities,” he said, “are winning games.”

As we try to decipher Harbaugh’s comments, let’s take a look at some more notes out of Santa Clara…

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Sparano, Gruden

December 8th, 2014 at 5:39pm CST by Ben Levine

As the season winds down, more and more teams find themselves out of playoff contention. A team often seeks a scapegoat for a disappointing season, and this results in plenty of coaching rumors during the season’s final weeks. Let’s take a look at whispers regarding some potential vacancies…

  • Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole was featured on the site’s “Insider Buzz” segment, where he told host Stephen Nelson that Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers is “pretty much over.”
  • Cole confirms that the Raiders indeed have interest in Harbaugh, adding that there’s been contract between Raiders intermediaries and Harbaugh intermediaries. However, the list of competitors for Harbaugh’s services is growing, as Cole mentions the Dolphins and Jets as potential destinations.
  • Meanwhile, Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano avoided questions regarding his job security for 2015, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). However, the coach did express his belief that the locker room has bought into his message, perhaps indicating that he has the support of his players.
  • Jay Gruden’s first season didn’t go as planned, but the Washington head coach isn’t planning on jumping ship to an appealing college job. His agent told ESPN.com’s John Keim (via Twitter) that the coach has not talked to anyone from Michigan.

Extra Points: Browns, Harbaugh, Peterson

December 7th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up the weekend…

  • The Browns quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 took a hit today, but don’t expect the team to make any drastic changes. Following Cleveland’s 25-24 loss to the Colts, coach Mike Pettine addressed the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer (via David Campbell of Cleveland.com). “He did not play well enough for us to win,” Pettine said. “The entire team did not play well enough for us to win.” So, will the team make the switch to rookie Johnny Manziel? “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Pettine. “It’s something we’ll get together and discuss. It’s too fresh after this one.”
  • There isn’t only a quarterback controversy in Cleveland. According to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer, the Browns may be looking for another kicker after veteran Billy Cundiff missed another key kick. “It’s obviously concerning,” said Pettine. “We get field goal attempts, we get a chance to put points on the board against a good team and you’ve got to be able to convert.”
  • There have been plenty of rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers, but the head coach was adamant that the whispers have not distracted his team, saying “it can’t be a factor.” The coach was also clear that he’s focused on this season. “My priorities are No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff. And, lastly, is what my personal professional future is.”
  • A resolution to the Adrian Peterson appeal will come eventually, and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the running back will be on the field in 2015 if a deal is reached. If a deal isn’t reached, the writer warns that a lawsuit could be the next option.
Load More Posts