[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/11/report-tomlin-jim-harbaugh-possible-candidates-at-texas/[/URL]Report: Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh possible candidates at Texas
Posted by Mike Florio on December 11, 2013, 1:07 PM EST
When it comes to his negotiations with the University of Texas, Alabama coach Nick Saban has plenty of leverage. Texas now may have some, too.
According to Chip Brown of Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com (via CBS Sports), Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh are potential candidates for the Longhorns vacancy.
It sounds ridiculous on the surface. Why would coaches of two of the most prominent NFL franchises consider any college job?
For starters, the money may be a lot better than what Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh currently are making or eventually will be making in their NFL jobs in Pennsylvania and California, respectively, especially when considering that the head coach of the Texas Longhorns pays no state income tax.
Then there’s the thing that drew Saban back to college after a two-year stint with the Dolphins: Control.
True control. No salary cap, no draft, no aggressive media. No General Manager or others in the front office who’ll plant stories or whisper in the ear of the owner about how the coach should be blamed for struggles.
And no owner. While there’s an Athletics Director and a school president and a board, the coach becomes the highest paid, highest profile, and in turn highest powered figure in a college town with a major college football program.
There’s currently no reason to think Tomlin or Jim Harbaugh would be interested in leaving for Texas or any other team. But they both could be interested in extending and/or improving their current deals. (Tomlin is signed through 2016, and Jim Harbaugh is under contract through 2015.)
Besides, NFL head-coaching contracts don’t seem to be as meaningless as college contracts. Saban got out easily from his deal in Miami because he specifically negotiated the ability to leave for a college job.
Saban got that term because he had leverage. Saban currently has it again. Turning the gaze to other candidates gives Texas a little of it back. And it in turn gives Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh a little leverage of their own.
Especially if/when either or both declare, “I’m not going to be the Texas coach.”
[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24371923/mike-tomlin-jim-harbaugh-reported-as-possible-texas-candidates[/URL]Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh reported as possible Texas candidates
By Will Brinson | NFL Writer
December 11, 2013 12:23 am ET
So the Texas job isn't even technically open yet, but CBSSports.com's Bruce Feldman reports that Mack Brown is on his way out, though the Longhorns administration is currently dealing with "a very messy situation." It's probably not going to get any easier going forward with the insane amount of rumors floating about the next possible coach.
To wit: Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, who initially reported Brown was out and has always been a reliable source when it comes to Texas information, went on Fox Sports Live and reported that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh are possible candidates for the job.
"I'm sure Texas hopes there's a chance there. I think there's no question Texas is going to aim high here. I've been told they're going to aim for a coach that's won a national championship or a Super Bowl. And I think Nick Saban's at the top of the list. I think Urban Meyer would probably be second. I've heard maybe Mike Tomlin could be approached in this. I think you have to look at guys like David Shaw -- even though he hasn't won a national title -- and Jim Harbaugh. Both had success at Stanford and school president Bill Powers is a Cal graduate and wants Texas to be seen in the same light as Cal and Stanford."
Texas is an awesome job. You have your own network and you're handed like six free wins a year just based on sheer talent level and schedule. There's an incredibly fertile recruiting area around the school and there's no income tax.
But there are only 32 NFL jobs. Guys who are having success like Tomlin (despite the Steelers recent struggles he has a Super Bowl win and a pair of AFC championships) and Harbaugh aren't bolting the NFL for a college football gig. You could argue that the Texas job is better than some NFL jobs (maybe, say, the Texans?). That's fine. But the 49ers and Steelers jobs don't open up very often. The Steelers have had three head coaches since 1969. That's a weekend for Dan Snyder.
You can never say never when it comes to coaching jobs and it comes to money. Like I said, Brown's been pretty spot on with Texans info. But that pair of names seems like a stretch.
On the bright side, we're definitely going to get press conference questions for Tomlin and Harbaugh about this rumor.
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