A question for those wavering on Jim Harbaugh as Michigan's football coach: Who would be better?
Most answers don't make sense. For all the disappointment about losses to Ohio State and a noticeable lack of championship hardware, Harbaugh has poured a solid foundation. The Wolverines have been good and potentially could move to another level if they extend Harbaugh's contract, which is in the sixth of seven years.
Minnesota's P.J. Fleck is the possible exception. He turned Western Michigan into a major bowl participant. He developed Minnesota into an 11-game winner capable of defeating Auburn in a bowl game.
Michigan opens its season Saturday night at Minnesota. Michigan is a 3-point favorite, but it's puzzling why.
Minnesota returns solid starting quarterback Tanner Morgan. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is a potential Top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. Mohammad Ibrahim is an experienced running back.
Michigan lost 10 players to the NFL Draft and is replacing most starters on the offensive line and at receiver, in addition to breaking in QB Joe Milton.
The Gophers have lost seven starters from their defense and Michigan has retained playmakers on that side of ball such as Kwity Paye and Aiden Hutchinson. Yet this is still a dangerous game for Harbaugh because of the Fleck factor.
If Minnesota beats Michigan Saturday, perception will be that Fleck has done much more than Harbaugh with far fewer resources.
Minnesota extended Fleck's contract last season to prevent his departure to Florida State. But his buyout drops from $10 million after this season to $4.5 million following 2021 and $3.5 million after 2022.
Obviously there are mitigating factors. The pandemic has created havoc for Michigan's athletic budget.
Harbaugh has a hefty salary the final year of his deal and it would undoubtedly take a similar figure to entice Fleck. Currently, Fleck is compensated roughly half annually of what Harbaugh receives ($8.036 million to $4.281 million, according to USA Today). Such an annual pay disparity would cancel out the buyout from Fleck's standpoint.
Other than Lou Holtz leaving for Notre Dame decades ago, Minnesota hasn't been a stepping stone job. There have been periods of relative success, but nothing quite like what Fleck produced in 2019.
Minnesota's defense was a sieve in 2018, and Fleck didn't hesitate to move on mid-season from coordinator Robb Smith for Joe Rossi. It has been much better since.
Penn State's James Franklin recently poached offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who was a key part of Fleck's staff starting at WMU. There will be co-coordinators this season, but Fleck has a stellar offensive background.
Michigan is like Notre Dame and Texas among precious few college football coaching positions carrying certain appeal because of tradition, resources and recruiting advantages -- regardless of recent track record. Fleck will turn 40 next month. Minnesota is very unlikely his final destination.
Of course, if Michigan goes into Minneapolis Saturday night and beats the Gophers, it will be a moot point, at least for awhile.
But if Minnesota wins this game, don't be surprised if a drum suggesting P.J. Fleck to Michigan begins to beat.
That may not be fair to Jim Harbaugh, but it is the reality of his chosen profession and current position.
