Georgia SB Nation writer calls Ann Arbor "a barren wasteland". Is mad at Harbaugh

Submitted by Maizen on

Naturally Harbaugh’s gambit has Greg Sankey and the SEC coaches up in arms. I can’t say I blame them completely. In the cut throat world of college football recruiting they almost must object to anything Harbaugh does to gain a toe hold in a recruiting territory which puts the barren wasteland in which he resides to shame. 

Harbaugh’s still going to have to get players (and parents) up to the frozen north at some point before Signing Day. That’s going to be a great reminder that Ann Arbor is still a heckuva long way from Orlando.

 

Even in this connected world of ours, the best predictor of where a recruit will sign remains where he’s grown up.  I don’t think Harbaugh’s going to turn Johnny Five Star from a lifelong Florida State Seminole to a dyed in the wool Wolverine by having him witness a few practices. 

 

Finally, you have to wonder how Mark Dantonio, Urban Meyer, and other Rust Belt coaches spin this one. If I were Dantonio I’d be visiting every high school coach and top recruit from Detroit to Ontonagon and asking them if they’ve seen ole Jimmy around. In short, this move may help Harbaugh a little, but it probably doesn’t really hurt SEC programs that much.

http://www.dawgsports.com/2016/2/11/10966456/Michigan-spring-practice-Florida-Jim-harbaugh

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Black Socks

February 11th, 2016 at 5:31 PM ^

Not gonna lie.  We got off the freeway in Macon and were nearly mugged.  Guy accosted us at Taco Bell.  :)

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AmayzNblue

February 11th, 2016 at 8:09 PM ^

The barren wasteland comment is in regard to the number of top level recruits in Michigan. He's right.

Ultimately, kids love going to winning programs and having opportunities to play in front of massive audiences. UM is not leaving the elite scene any time soon



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AmayzNblue

February 11th, 2016 at 8:12 PM ^

This quote is hilariously oxymoronic. If a few practices won't change a kid's mind about where to go to school, why would this article be written in the first place?

"Even in this connected world of ours, the best predictor of where a recruit will sign remains where he’s grown up. I don’t think Harbaugh’s going to turn Johnny Five Star from a lifelong Florida State Seminole to a dyed in the wool Wolverine by having him witness a few practices. "



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1WhoStayed

February 11th, 2016 at 9:41 PM ^

Section 1: "Barren wasteland" can be interpreted however you like. Does he mean from a talent POV? Or is he referring to the "rust belt" in general? Personally, I read this as trying to slam the region in general. Barren would certainly be an understable (outsider) view of the blight in Detroit. It's still pretty rough. I drive dowtown every day and see the worst (and best) of the city. Most people from Georgia think Detroit = Michigan.

Section 2: Harmless observation. Most southerners have never been out on a Great Lake in July or watched a game in Michigan stadium on a fall afternoon. To them it's all snow and cold. And we have had kids admit that the cold turned them away.

Section 3: 100% agree with the writer's position. And he specifically makes his point in the context of a player being able to "witness a few practices" with UM at IMG. In other words, the week of time in Florida by itself is no threat. Not sure why anyone would disagree with this point.

Section 4: First, since he refers to Mike and Urban as "Rust Belt" coaches, I think this underlines what he really meant by barren wasteland! Secondly, it's hard to refute any statement that starts with "If I were...". Then he closes the paragraph with a statement that I think most of us would agree with 100%.

IMHO, the issue people should have is the nasty slam against Ann Arbor. A2 is one of the best college towns by almost every measure. Calling it a barren wasteland is crazy. Crazy I say!

OH WAIT, HE NEVER WROTE THAT!

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