Fact or Fiction: Jim Harbaugh has an exit strategy
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
ASK FARRELL: What to believe regarding FSU/Taggart/Meyer?
1. Jim Harbaugh has an exit strategy.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Harbaugh sent a note to the parents of players and recruits saying the reports he has an exit strategy to leave Michigan are "crap" and I believe they are. However, you're fooling yourself if you don't think Harbaugh actually has an exit strategy in his own head. Harbaugh knows he won't be fired, but how long does he want to deal with the criticism and failure against top teams at Michigan when a cushy NFL job awaits whenever he wants it? If he loses to Ohio State this year and has a sub-par season next year, I think we will see his "private" exit strategy start to come into play.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I just finished reading John Bacon’s new book, Overtime, about the Michigan program and one major takeaway was that Harbaugh is laser-focused on returning the Wolverines to the greatness it enjoyed under Bo Schembechler, one of his heroes. I have no idea if Harbaugh will get Michigan there but I would be shocked if Harbaugh is thinking at all about going back to the NFL.
If Michigan becomes a title contender and Harbaugh has the program rolling, then maybe, but I don’t think he leaves Ann Arbor until that time. Harbaugh has been really bad against top-10 teams, but he’s also 43-16 during his time at Michigan. I’m convinced things are going in the right direction.
2. Vols recruiting is picking up despite poor season.
Farrell’s take: FACT. While they are all from the same school, it's a big deal that the Vols landed three four-star players this week, even after another loss to Alabama. Linebackers Martavius French, Bryson Eason and Tamarion McDonald are all talented, in-state prospects and all decided to become a part of the Vols' future defense. This is a big deal because many in-state prospects have been stolen from the Vols in recent years, so keeping these three is excellent work by Jeremy Pruitt.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Getting a better handle on in-state recruiting is going to be very important for Pruitt and his staff moving forward and the Vols took a huge step forward over the last couple days getting commitments from French, Eason and McDonald. All three are four-star linebackers and now Tennessee has a better recruiting class than half the SEC. Seventh in the conference, Tennessee’s class now ranks No. 19 nationally and there is plenty of talent coming to Knoxville. Now the trick is to win more games on the field.
3. FSU would have no interest in Urban Meyer to replace Willie Taggart.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. C'mon people, let's get real. If Urban Meyer reaches out to Florida State and wants to coach there, he's hired. FSU athletic director David Coburn said if Willie Taggart was hit by a bus tomorrow that the 'Noles would not have any interest in Meyer and he's flat out lying. And if he's not, he's crazy. I don't think Meyer will be the Seminoles' next coach, that's Mark Stoops, but this statement was ridiculous.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Call me naive or stupid (I’ve been called both) but I actually agree that if Florida State gets rid of Taggart, the administration would turn its focus to serious candidates and that would not include Meyer.
First, I don’t think he would ever take that job given his coaching tenure at Florida and I don’t think Meyer would want it anyway - a cutthroat recruiting territory that is getting raided every day by Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and others. I do think Meyer has the coaching itch again and that might be at USC or in the NFL, but I highly doubt he would ever entertain the FSU job - and I really don’t think FSU would have interest in him.