If it was a done deal, then why wouldn't they actually make it a done deal and announce it? There is literally no waiting required. Ross could easily afford the Rooney Rule penalty if he wanted a single coach that badly, and even then we have since filled it. Ross wanted Harbaugh largely BEFORE he went to Michigan, where Ross pays a lot of money to keep him there (as one of UM's biggest boosters, he's directly funding a good chunk of it). Keep in mind that any meeting between Ross and Harbaugh could just as easily be about keeping him in Michigan rather than coming here.
To be fair, that could figure into the reason why nothing is announced (assuming, of course, it is a done deal).
His answer was really bad if he was trying to actually get him. Its not like he wouldn't expected to be asked. Most likely Michigan really is more important to him.
On some level it does make sense. If Ross doesn’t want to ruffle feathers at Michigan, the Pr/spin needs to be Harbaugh pursued it and not the other way around.
I understand not wanting to appear like he is after him for that reason but he could have done it without lying. I think we would have got something from someone about him and Miami. All signs point to them making no effort to go after him even though it certainly appears like Harbaugh has NFL interest and will leave Michigan sooner or later.
No, he really couldn't. It was a lie that had to be told since we cannot be the aggressor. However, if we do end up with Harbaugh, it will come out that they've been talking about this for years.
He could have easily added on with something like "He is someone I respect a lot as an NFL if he decided he wanted to come back to the NFL but I don't want to be the one who talks him into leave the University of Michigan" which keeps the same premise but makes it clear its only if Harbaugh decided he was going to leave anyway. But in reality he can be the aggressor. His priority should be the Dolphins and it shouldn't be close. Michigan wouldn't give him a hard time because they will still want his money.
You must have missed all the other comments about different hires listed throughout the conversation, but that is OK, I forgive your struggles.