following a 2-4 season in 2020, michigan announced they extended jim harbaugh with a a 50%+ cut in base salary and heavily incentivized on the field achievement in the form or championships and postseason activity. harbaugh response is legendary (especially given what he achieved in '21, '22 & '23), “I reacted (like) no big deal,” Harbaugh told the media during a video conference call. “Attacking each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. It didn’t really mean anything to me. It’s just money. I would do this job for free. I love it." Harbaugh went on to make more money the two subsequent years than he would have been guaranteed in his 2020 deal, they made the playoffs twice, and won a natty.
now the harbaugh and napier comparison is a bit of an apples to oranges as harbaugh had a 49-22 record through 2020 and was nearly at the end of his original deal. napier is a horrible 15-18 and unfortunately has through the 2028 season on his contract. but i'm curious what those who are out on billy (like me) would think if strickland was able to get napier to agree to a reduced salary with enhanced performance kickers? this would make 2025 his make or break year and gives billy a chance to put his money where his mouth is if he still believes he's the guy for the job.
i'm aware that there is no reasonable expectation for billy to sign up for a voluntary pay cut. strickland negotiated a horrible contract and napier/sexton have every right to force florida to pay every penny.
i'm also sympathetic to the view that billy has not done the bare minimum to be retained after his first three years. but with an uncertain coaching market and a likely upcoming shift to revenue sharing, is it in the program's short term interest to (presumably) keep this group of young gators together for a run next year?
a fun little thought experiment i had while walking my dog and wanted to get the board's take...
go gators!
now the harbaugh and napier comparison is a bit of an apples to oranges as harbaugh had a 49-22 record through 2020 and was nearly at the end of his original deal. napier is a horrible 15-18 and unfortunately has through the 2028 season on his contract. but i'm curious what those who are out on billy (like me) would think if strickland was able to get napier to agree to a reduced salary with enhanced performance kickers? this would make 2025 his make or break year and gives billy a chance to put his money where his mouth is if he still believes he's the guy for the job.
i'm aware that there is no reasonable expectation for billy to sign up for a voluntary pay cut. strickland negotiated a horrible contract and napier/sexton have every right to force florida to pay every penny.
i'm also sympathetic to the view that billy has not done the bare minimum to be retained after his first three years. but with an uncertain coaching market and a likely upcoming shift to revenue sharing, is it in the program's short term interest to (presumably) keep this group of young gators together for a run next year?
a fun little thought experiment i had while walking my dog and wanted to get the board's take...
go gators!
