Jim Harbaugh As ISU Football’s Next Head Coach - v2

[Jeremy]

Jim Harbaugh As ISU Football’s Next Head Coach - v2
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind

For those that did not get a chance to read the article I put up yesterday afternoon due to all the threads that quickly followed it, I wanted to post an updated version of the article for you to read. Nothing of substance has been changed but I have altered the wording to try and make sure nothing is suggested or construed in any way. I have proof-read this version of the story to make sure all of the news is included but also to make sure that everything is worded correctly so as to not confuse, suggest, or skew anybody's opinion or understanding of the story...

I’ve talked to about fifteen different individuals today spread out all across the country regarding the search to replace Dan McCarney as Iowa State’s next Head Coach. While some of the sources didn't have anything new or unique, several were able to paint a very complete picture of what may be in the near future. Here is the culmination of the day’s work…

While I know I’m going out on a limb here by stating what’s below, I feel very comfortable in what my sources have been telling me and wanted to let everybody know what appears to be imminent if things hold together. Two of the sources I talked to today were the same ones that helped me break the news that Wayne Morgan was being fired and that Dan McCarney would be stepping down, before other outlets made similar announcements.

The text below is what I personally feel will happen based on the latest news from multiple sources.

The timeline of the future events is simple and goes as follows…

Iowa State formally offers Jim Harbaugh the Head Coaching position at Iowa State by the end of this week.

Jim Harbaugh accepts the offer this weekend or next Monday at the latest.

Iowa State makes a formal announcement around the middle of next week naming Jim Harbaugh as the man replacing Dan McCarney.

From my sources that I talked to today, Jim Harbaugh has been planning for around a year now to make the jump to the Head Coaching ranks at a BCS program and has made plans for such an occasion. Harbaugh has already talked to and gotten committals from a very broad and diverse group of assistants that are loyal friends and colleagues of his. Along with the great group of assistants, Harbaugh has also had some players and recruits recently hint that they would like to follow him to his new destination if allowed and if it were in their best interest.

While we all know that things change rapidly and that there could be candidate “x” that we don’t know about, I feel very comfortable with the information told to me by several individuals on both Iowa State and Jim Harbaugh’s side of the situation. Knowing what I do, I feel much more comfortable with this eventual coaching change than I did even a couple of days ago. Nothing is set in stone by any means but I really do think Jim Harbaugh will be announced as the next Head Coach unless a bigger program can offer more before said offer is made by ISU. There are other programs wanting to get Harbaugh before the end of the year so ISU will need to make sure to get things finalized sooner rather than later.

Things are moving very rapidly behind the scenes despite anything else being portrayed in media outlets like the Des Moines Register. Jamie Pollard knows very well that he has to get “his guy” before others have the chance to or before additional recruits or players jump ship. The fans want somebody in place to start recruiting as soon as possible, and Jamie, I believe, has his man.

[ISUFan22]

Things moving quickly with Pollard at the helm? No way, Pollard doesn't move quickly! :)

In seeing how JP got G-Mac very quickly and in speaking with him on Saturday in Colorado - I'd be surprised if we didn't have our new football coach by next week.

[hansen55]

Jeremy, do you know what other schools are after Harbaugh besides Michigan St?

[cyclonedrew]

Great way to word things. That is what I was talking about when you wrote the first version. Just makes it so the reader know's that from what you are hearing that is how it's going down.

By the way what is taking Pollard so long? He has had a week now.

Cael was one day
Gmac 3 days.

[hfthomp]

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting Harbaugh, but if you were him, wouldn't you HAVE to wait until after the season to see what other jobs were available before taking an offer? Jeremy, do you know what ISU would be offering him for salary? I would assume that it would have to really overwhelm him for him to jump on the offer so quickly.

[edenclone]

Stanford has been mentioned with Harbaugh as well.

[shadow]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice!

[Jeremy]

To answer your questions:

Harbaugh wouldn't need to wait as long as most coaches just because where he's at is almost like jumping from HS to CC or something along those lines. He's at a U without a scholarship FB program and he would be leaving for a BCS program so I don't think the pressure would be on him necessarily to wait past early next week to announce things. Arguments could be made that it's only fair for him to wait but that doesn't mean he couldn't sign the papers and keep it quiet;)

As far as who else is after him, I've heard primarily Michigan State but for some reason one source likes to mention Miami even though I don't see that happening for numerous reasons. Stanford could be but right now they aren't even sure if they'll be able to get rid of their coach and DMac would be a very possible candidate there.

Brewster is still very much a possibility for ISU, I just have been hearing so much in regards to Harbaugh and talks with JP that I don't see it happening unless things fall through with JH and JP. Sources have been very adamant that it will be Harbaugh and they're doing a good one on me if it isn't looking like that to them. My understanding is that JP and JH have talked and that things are progressing to the point they would possibly be talking about compensation, etc. Again, this is from sources and not JP himself so it's always up for debate.

[guitarchitect7]

Well we all know JP moved very quickly getting McD. But was this because he wanted to, or had to. McD was talked about as the hottest commondity on the coaching market. And with the phone call JP recieved from him, i think he HAD to move quickly to ensure he got the coach he wanted.

With Jeter, my thoughts are the job was his. In fact i think things were close to final and then McD stepped into the picture. Why not take a local guy who has been successful. So JP let Jeter make the statement he did as to not make it look like Jeter was overshadowed and not hired because of all the criticism that Wayne Morgan was fired.

So with this I look at the footbal vacancy and think that JP doesnt have to act as quickly this time. He made the announcement soon enough to give him the time to get his cards staright and make sure he finds the right guy.

I know we all want to know who the next guy is, and some may think they already know, but I would much rather have someone take their time and make sure all canidates have been reviewed and interviewed before making an rash decisions.

I see this taking a couple weeks before an announcement is made, but thats just me.

[cygoat]

FWIW, John Walters reported last night that the ISU athletic department has contacted the Central Michigan athletic department to talk to their football head coach. I don't really follow football, but they said he's been successful at Central Michigan and also coached for 13 years at some school where he won two D-II national championships.

[JokersWild]

I just don't see Harbaugh coming here. But, I'm sure JP will find a good fit.