clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rival Report 12/14: Jim Harbaugh shoots down NFL coaching rumors by "Jive Turkeys"

New, comments
Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Another year and another coaching vacancy has the rumor mill whispering the name Jim Harbaugh as the most wanted replacement. The pining will have to continue though, because it appears that Harbaugh is pretty adamant about saying in Michigan. Why wouldn't he want to stay at his alma mater where he gets paid a ton of money to bring his college team back to glory?

The latest advance that has people wondering if Jim Harbaugh will leave the Michigan Wolverines after just 2 seasons is the job opening created when the Los Angeles Rams fired coach Jeff Fisher. One of the key voices that criticized Fisher before his termination was Eric Dickerson who immediately floated Harbaugh as his top choice as successor.

To this, Harbaugh says no and that any rumors regarding him as leaving the University of Michigan are just lies created by his enemies. The paranoia apparently runs deep with Harbaugh because he believes that there are 3 head coaches that love to spread these rumors to advance their own agendas, though he did not name those coaches specifically.

"I'm not leaving Michigan," Harbaugh the Detroit Free Press, "Not even considering it. A lot of this talk is coming from our enemies, from coaches, you know the names. You probably know the names of the top three I'm referring to. They like to say that to the media. They like to tell that to the recruits, to their families, try to manipulate them into going to some other school besides Michigan."

This reeks of the same type of personality trait from all-time greats like Michael Jordan and LeBron James who are both notorious for creating chips for their shoulders even when they don't belong there. This is a classic example of that because the rumors start because of the desire people have of luring Harbaugh away because he is a good coach, it doesn't have to be nefarious.

It's that simple really, the rumors are there because people just want him to lead their team whether he has any interest in doing so. This is the problem with being a good coach who has lead multiple successful teams. It's the same reason the Miami Dolphins interviewed him to be their coach while they still had a head coach employed and the same reason why the Raiders doggedly pursued him before he chose to go to Michigan.

Of course, Harbaugh explained this to his team in a most classic Harbaugh way. He referenced an old school term that most of the kids on his team have probably rarely heard by calling them jive turkeys.

"We know them as jive turkeys. Say it like it is. that's the way it is."

One of the Wolverines players, safety Dymonte Thomas, associated the saying to Jim Harbaugh quoting the movie Tropic Thunder which makes it even more hilarious because it's much more likely that Harbaugh just still uses old slang like that regularly.

Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors are ‘lies made up by our enemies,’ he reportedly told players - SBNation.com
So, is that a "no"?

Jim Harbaugh says he's not leaving Michigan, blames NFL rumors on 'enemies' - CBSSports.com
Forget the Los Angeles Rams job or any NFL gig for that matter; Harbaugh is sticking around

U-M's Harbaugh: I'm not leaving; coaches/enemies are 'jive turkeys'
U-M coach shot down rumors at football bust, said opposing coaches drumming up speculation

Other stories from around the AFC West

Denver Broncos

Are there holes in the Denver Broncos No Fly Zone? - Mile High Report
Pro Football Focus thinks the Denver Broncos No Fly Zone is very top heavy.

The 2016 Denver Broncos identity has shown itself - Mile High Report
The No Bull Review this week covers where we are at a critical juncture in the 2016 season. Let’s talk about who this team is and what might keep us from the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers

REPORT: NFL Owners Approve Chargers and Rams Lease Agreement in Los Angeles - Bolts From The Blue
Well this doesn’t look good for keeping the team in San Diego.

San Diego Chargers Stadium: A Hail Mary for Mission Valley? - Bolts From The Blue
Four San Diego City Councilpersons are proposing a low-cost lease to the Chargers for the Mission Valley site

Kansas City Chiefs

Five Kansas City Chiefs with their stock headed up - Arrowhead Pride
Sometimes investors get too caught up in the daily volatility to realize where the long term trend is headed. It’s like walking up a mountain while playing with a yo-yo ... if you’re focused on the...

Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt's life, legacy | 10 years later | The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt died 10 years ago Tuesday on Dec. 13, 2006. In the days that followed, The Kansas City Star chronicled his life, professional career and impact on the city, professional football and other pro sports. Here is some of The Star’s coverage from that time.

Other stories from around the NFL

Tony Romo or Dak Prescott? Here's what NFL execs say Jerry Jones should do - CBSSports.com
Should the Cowboys pull a Broncos and go back to their veteran QB for the stretch run?

The NFL Moves on From Pink October | The MMQB with Peter King
Since 2009, the league has focused a monthlong charitable effort on breast cancer awareness, drawing both praise and some criticism. Beginning next fall, teams will be able to choose their own cancer causes to support