CC: "Harbaugh unlikely to bolt for Michigan"
Rosenberg reported, yes a scumbag, but a much more reliable source than some of the other reports coming out from earlier today.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110103/SPORTS06/11010…
It's not the print link. I don't know how to do that and its 4:24 in the morning so sorry for not trying.
January 4th, 2011 at 8:18 AM ^
Thanks for creating an atmosphere where there is no other scenario except to get rid of RR.
Hope you enjoy supporting Brady Hoke.
FML.
January 4th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
RR himself may have had something to do with that. Not that it matters what you or I think. DB's evaluation will be made public soon enough. Hope you enjoy supporting Michigan regardless of who the coach is.
January 4th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
I accept that there is a large portion of the fan base who think that Harbaugh is the savior. I don't agree with it. I think Harbaugh benefited from the Pac 10, sans Oregon, being not quite as strong as some perceive in a year where he had 16 seniors on his two deep and one of the best pocket passers in the country. I think that, at best, he would eventually take us back to 4 loss seasons with an elite team mixed in every 5 years. I was, though, ready to accept him as a coach if it was to silence the whiny, entitled contingent.
However, the clamoring for JH grew to be so loud and the lack of support for RR was made so clear over the last month, that DB no longer has the option of RR as back up plan.
You can blame RR for not winning games, but you can not blame him for Michigan being in the coaching mess that we are in right now. If I was assigning blame, it would go:
- Idiot fans for allowing themselves to be manipulated by the media and not letting the situation just play out.
- Media for manipulating the idiots.
- DB for "The Great Wait." I understand his reasoning, but he should have understood the complete implications of his timeline. He didn't want to fire RR until he had a coach in place because he wanted RR as a back up plan. Now his likely #1 target might be off the table and RR, realistically, is no longer an option.
I can't even blame Harbuagh. Even if JH didn't hint to DB that he was likely headed to the NFL, if that is the case, there certainly was a reason to believe that the NFL was a realistic destination for him. However, DB handcuffed himself to this timeline and did not leave himself any option to back out of it. Plus, what coach would want to come here now with the way the media and fan base has treated the current coaching staff after showing improvement in the win/loss column each year and not getting support for seeing what might happen in the critical 4th year when his recruits are finally upper classmen?
Regardless of how you feel about RR, if you don't think Michigan might be better off next year seeing if RR can turn things around, than changing direction again with a coach that has proven nothing (other than that he fits your image of a Michigan Man!), than there is no point for you and I to discuss this any further as you are no longer thinking rationally.
January 4th, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^
McShay and Kiper updated their draft board yesterday before the Orange Bowl and confirmed it late last night on ESPN radio's overnight show.. .Luck is now the #1 Qb and #1 overall in the mock draft going to Carolina should he turn pro. Especially after Jake Locker's poor decision last year, expect Luck to declare.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=nfl_draft&id=5984118
Stanford's QB options next year: 5th yr Sr with mop up duty experience, or one of two redshirt Jr's (eligibility based on next year's standing)
January 4th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
If Harbaugh is not coming it will definately be a disappointment. I was an avid RichRod supporter up until the Ohio State and Gator Bowl beat downs. The team is not improving and needs to go in a new direction. I read some scuttlebutt on some other boards prior to all of this that the athletic department was hearing from coaches who expressed interest in the Michigan job that were suprising and out of left field. Have no idea who those coaches could be or if it was just more internet BS. I just would like to know who the coach next year is going to be so we can all move on and try to get fired up for next year. If its not Harbaugh I think it needs to be someone that is going to be able to retain most of the offensive talent (IE Denard) or we are in for even more of a disaster in the next couple of years. Lets just pray Dave isn't pulling a Bill Martin with this coaching situation. Hoping for the best!
Go Blue!
January 4th, 2011 at 8:56 AM ^
If JH did say that he doesn't want to come to UM and instead stay at Stanford, it was because he just won the Orange Bowl and was caught up in the moment, which I can understand.
Howeva', once he wakes up this morning, he will realize that he wants to come Home, be the Savior, and play for national championships year after year with top notch recruits (which he can't do where he is now).
January 4th, 2011 at 9:08 AM ^
The only reason for this last month of damaged recruiting and total mess would be to wait for JH to finish the Orange bowl. If DB didn't have a deal with JH a month ago he should have never made this gamble. If JH is not coming to Michigan, DB has set the program back significantly. He either delivers JH by Friday or he should be fired. My hope is JH is coming and all of these rumors turn out to be false but DB is hanging on the edge of a cliff right now and only JH will be able to pull him back.
January 4th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
seriously
January 4th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^
make it stop
January 4th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^
"Bolt" seems like an odd choice. Harbaugh wouldn't be running from anything, and I wouldn't say his tenure at Stanford has been short. And it doesn't sound like his decision would be impulsive or without thought. How would he be "bolting?"
It's bad enough Rosenberg et al are reporting nothing but whispers in the wind, but do they also have to use misleading language to add drama to this whole mess?
January 4th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^
I will give DB the benefit of the doubt at the moment (although it isn't looking great right now). So far he seems to have done a good job as AD and is definately an intelligent guy. However, as we all know perception is not always reality. I'm sure he is doing what he thinks is best for the program in the long haul. That could mean a less popular pick like Brady Hoke. I think he is going to take some major heat though if that is the hire. Unfortunately for Brady he is going to need to show improvement quickly or we are going to be right back where we are now. It took him 5 to 6 years at Ball State, he obviously will not get that kind of time at Michigan.
January 4th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
Who is coming back and who is leaving early strikes me as a non-factor in JH's decision re:Stanford. You're talking about a long-term decision and very short-term factors.
My gut feeling -- I hope like hell I'm wrong about this -- is that we blew it. We should have locked him in years ago. We turned him away at a time when he would have crawled here. Stanford gave him his chance as a 1-A HC, and I will not be at all surprised if that inspires the loyalty that swings the decision. Sure, Stanford stiffed him with no scholie offer when he was coming out of Palo Alto HS but they more than made up for it by giving him the keys to their kingdom (such as it is).
He's shown he can win at Stanford. Building his own empire there, filling that stadium every game... if he wants to stay in college ball -- and I see him as just about the consummate college coach -- that may be a challenge he can't turn his back to.
My gut has been way wrong many, many times -- mostly recently on Saturday, starting around 1:30 p.m. Eastern time -- and I hope it is just as unreliable this time too. But I don't dig the way the winds are blowing.
January 4th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
Who is coming back and who is leaving early strikes me as a non-factor in JH's decision re:Stanford. You're talking about a long-term decision and very short-term factors.
Unless it's Luck coming back, which could probably just about seal it.
January 4th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
If you've paid attention to Jim Harbaugh's responses about his own personal situation, you would know that he won't be returning to Stanford next year. He has deflected every question about that situation, sometimes rudely.
He might not be in Ann Arbor next year, but I am almost certain he won't be in Palo Alto.
January 4th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^
I have paid attention -- too much and obsessive attention. But we don't "know" anything. Chances he stays at Stanford: north of 0%. Chances he comes to AA: south of 100%. That's the summary of what we "know" right now.
January 4th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
Lets not freak out and hire another "experiment". Mike Hart looks good...
January 4th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
Please let this be true.
January 4th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^
Now we can keep Rich Rod, with a new defensive regime! Thank god, Rich Rod will lead us to glory next year. DB shouldn't make a move just to make a move........