12-09-2010, 12:11 PM
Yes, Â maybe Harbs was blindsided by Bowlsby\'s comments on his intent to sign the contract. Â But this is like watching the cheerleaders on the sideline while there is a game going on. Â The GAME is over here:
-- Either Harbs has a burning desire and love for Bo that would propel him to Michigan no matter where he was coaching....or not. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change that.
-- Either Harbs is motivated by the money and prestige of the NFL and a chance to compete with his brother...or not. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change that.
-- And this, which nobody talks about much: Â Harbaugh\'s key advisor is his agent. Â His agent has a much bigger stake in Harbaugh moving for the NFL and Michigan than he does in Harbaugh staying at Stanford. Â Bigger slice of a bigger pie. Â I wouldn\'t expect him to be anything more than lukewarm on a Stanford future for Jim. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change the agent situation.
What Stanford can do is what Bowlsby already did. Â Show him the money. Show him the love before the agent gets involved. Â If there was a little bit of gamesmanship and spin thrown in, Â so what? Â Would it be better for Bowlsby to be "all in" on keeping Harbaugh, Â or would it be better that he hold back because it just isn\'t decorous.
We\'ve done what we can do. Â If it\'s Michigan, Â the seeds were planted long ago and now they get to harvest. Â If it\'s the NFL, Â then his ambition is just too large for the Stanford/Pac-10 stage and good luck to him.
-- Either Harbs has a burning desire and love for Bo that would propel him to Michigan no matter where he was coaching....or not. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change that.
-- Either Harbs is motivated by the money and prestige of the NFL and a chance to compete with his brother...or not. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change that.
-- And this, which nobody talks about much: Â Harbaugh\'s key advisor is his agent. Â His agent has a much bigger stake in Harbaugh moving for the NFL and Michigan than he does in Harbaugh staying at Stanford. Â Bigger slice of a bigger pie. Â I wouldn\'t expect him to be anything more than lukewarm on a Stanford future for Jim. Â Nothing Stanford can do will change the agent situation.
What Stanford can do is what Bowlsby already did. Â Show him the money. Show him the love before the agent gets involved. Â If there was a little bit of gamesmanship and spin thrown in, Â so what? Â Would it be better for Bowlsby to be "all in" on keeping Harbaugh, Â or would it be better that he hold back because it just isn\'t decorous.
We\'ve done what we can do. Â If it\'s Michigan, Â the seeds were planted long ago and now they get to harvest. Â If it\'s the NFL, Â then his ambition is just too large for the Stanford/Pac-10 stage and good luck to him.