tybert

January 16th, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^

Actually, it was halftime vs. Nebraska during the declining years of Hoke. But heck, MSC was so sloshed she couldn't have told us which sporting event she was even at (she still insists it was field hockey), day of week, city, state, etc.

Meanwhile, Dana needs to build up her tolerance of CH3CH2OH BEFORE going to another tailgate. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 8488

FatGuyTouchdown

January 16th, 2022 at 12:34 AM ^

Love Harbaugh and so hyped he's staying.

 

But let this be a reminder to any fans that wonder why their coach would ever consider going to the NFL:

Spending your saturday night at a college hockey game in the offseason trying to woo a bunch of 16-18 year olds is not the most fun thing. It's necessary in college, but my word has the college game become much more exhausting than the pro game. Recruiting and Coaching are two entirely separate jobs. 

 

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14126

CarrIsMyHomeboy

January 16th, 2022 at 1:15 AM ^

There's some truth to that, but the burden isn't an objective one. It's a matter of personality. Also: I venture to guess that spending a Saturday night at a Michigan hockey game (with or without footballers) sounds waaaaay more fun for my personality type (and hopefully Jim's) than yours.

I love football and celebrate it as our flagship sport (our most celebrated/renowned), but despite the soft spot my heart has for Michigan Stadium, I think there's a realistic chance that the hockey experience at Yost is Michigan's #1 fan environment. It's a literal jewel that far too few Michigan football fans have experienced.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 7324

Blue Vet

January 16th, 2022 at 7:35 AM ^

Egg-zackly! I started reading FatGuy's comment and once he wrote about spending Saturday night at a college hockey game, I assumed the next thought would be "How cool." Instead he saw it as a burden.

One of the joys of living in Ann Arbor when I came back with my family was the almost daily opportunity to go do something cool. A band, women's basketball, a play, hockey, a lecture about something weird and fascinating, the grad library, men's soccer, women's soccer, a bar, a stroll: the place is a treasure of experience.

The combination is different for all of us but each of us, like Harbaugh, has our own special Ann Arbor.

Joined: 05/08/2012

MGoPoints: 71324

FatGuyTouchdown

January 16th, 2022 at 8:04 AM ^

“When I came back with my family”-

 

Big difference between spending time with your family and having less time to spend with your family. If Jim Harbaugh was an NFL coach, he could go to more college hockey games with his family. Way more freedom on off days. 
 

again, not saying I don’t love him and want him to stay forever. But I get it 100% why every single coach would prefer the social anonymity, lifestyle improvements and ability to drop recruiting off their plates by making the jump to the league

 

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14126

outsidethebox

January 16th, 2022 at 9:08 AM ^

Urban legend.

I'm sure there are, occasionally, long days. If there are a lot of them it is a personal choice to just hang out. Kinda like my farmer neighbors who claim that the week or two around planting and harvest where they work a couple of 16 hour days and claim this is the norm-when in sum total they really only work 500 hours a year-at most. 

In the NFL you get to coach the best players with the assistance of the best coaches. Here, the players are much more accomplished and mature and very highly internally driven and motivated....and the roster is much smaller. There is no apt comparison here-and why some coaches are much better suited for one and not the other.

Joined: 01/23/2017

MGoPoints: 18816

DOBlue48

January 16th, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^

Most coaches at this level consider their teams "family" and bring their own families around the program all the time. 

All jobs have hazards, drawbacks and unpleasant aspects...coaching is no different.  JH knows what those drawbacks are in both his current role and in the NFL.  Only he can know which situation is best for him.  I hope his choice is UM. 

The question is this:  Would he rather deal with unpredictable teenagers in pursuit of success or a bunch of inflated egos (both player and front office).  We will soon know.

Joined: 10/21/2015

MGoPoints: 2156

scanner blue

January 16th, 2022 at 10:39 AM ^

i was quite near Jim for half the game. He was with his family- sons Jack andJay and daughter Maddie. He was also with his coworkers/staff- Mike Hart, Josh Gattis, Jay Harbaugh, and Grant Newsome. I would say he was just having a good time standing singing “The Victors” as the Mel’s team came from behind and secured a victory. I would say most of the recruiting was done earlier at the lunch in the suites and tour of the facilities. 

Joined: 07/14/2014

MGoPoints: 10319

FatGuyTouchdown

January 16th, 2022 at 7:59 AM ^

I get it. I would go to a big time college hockey game too if I was Michigan’s head coach. But there’s a massive difference between being able to go with your family and unwind and it being your job.

 

Jim Harbaugh is absolutely on the clock in that picture and I’m not saying he’s miserable. But I’m sure you’d rather spend a hockey game with your wife, kids and grandkids in an environment where you can kick back a little bit and maybe responsibly sip an adult beverage or two. 
 

 

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14126

1VaBlue1

January 16th, 2022 at 8:21 AM ^

You think his wife, kids, and grandkids, or even his parents, weren't allowed to go to the game with him?  You think he said to Sarah - 'you be a good little girl and stay home while I go out and entertain recruits'?  LOL!!  I'm sure they had a choice to go...

You probably think the successful managers at the top of your organization just sit around and move piles of paper from one side of the desk to the other.  They are constantly at the office or on business trips/meetings.  This is nothing new for a successful coach.  The NFL isn't so easy as to get every night at home, either.  Why do you think every NFL coach has a sofa sleeper in his office?

 

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127329

Durham Blue

January 17th, 2022 at 12:09 AM ^

I think there's a realistic chance that the hockey experience at Yost is Michigan's #1 fan environment. It's a literal jewel that far too few Michigan football fans have experienced.

This is spot on.  I have fond memories of Michigan hockey games when I was a student.  It's the coziest and funnest 3-ish hours you will ever spend at a sporting event.  Unbelievable and lively atmosphere.  The comedic chants from the student section alone are worth the time and money spent.

Joined: 10/09/2008

MGoPoints: 30055

HChiti76

January 16th, 2022 at 1:00 PM ^

I always chuckle when I read fans and media debate the “time with family or leisure” between major college coaching & the pros. Anyone who prioritizes family or leisure time DOESN’T ENTER THE COACHING PROFESSION! Duh. 
 

The profession requires the vast majority of one’s time to the detriment of family and leisure. But that’s part of the deal. All coaches know that. And most of their spouses/partners do, too. 
 

Also, there is an underlying assumption that the more family and leisure time, the better. That isn’t always the case. Every family had their own dynamics. There are different ways to raise a family. 
 

And, really, Jimbo H? Are you kidding? He was a child in a coach’s family. Not only s he aware of all the trade offs, from all accounts, he relished growing up in a coach’s family! 
 

 

Joined: 12/01/2014

MGoPoints: 2043

Indy Pete - Go Blue

January 16th, 2022 at 1:37 AM ^

Erin Walsh from Yahoo Sports just wrote this:

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly wants to return to the NFL over "unfinished business," per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio.

He is "watching and waiting to see whether a team with a reasonable ownership and General Manager situation is interested in giving him an opportunity," per Florio.

Florio = ? 

Joined: 01/23/2018

MGoPoints: 157235

Sopwith

January 16th, 2022 at 2:42 AM ^

I don't know about the "unfinished business" characterization, though it's probably more or less right, but the waiting for an opportunity that is not Jacksonville (i.e. nemesis GM Trent Baalke) is right. I'm super surprised he hasn't already gotten a call but as I speculated earlier, maybe Jed York has really done a number on his reputation the past 7 years. It's unfair. He's a brilliant coach.

It doesn't mean he doesn't love Michigan to the core. He's done right by UM. We'll see pretty soon I imagine.

Joined: 06/29/2010

MGoPoints: 61109

JonnyHintz

January 16th, 2022 at 8:33 AM ^

Why do you assume he hasn’t received a call? 
 

If Harbaugh is ever going to go to the NFL, it is going to be for the perfect situation. Location, team build, money, and control. If he goes back, it’s to win. Which means he’s going to set himself up in the perfect scenario to do so. It’s perfectly logical (and likely) that he HAS received calls gauging his interest and he’s turned them down on the spot.

Is it worth it for Harbaugh to even give a team like the Texans the time of day? I’m sure Harbaugh has done his homework and knows exactly what it would take for him to go back. He’s going to know from the initial phone call whether or not he’s remotely interested in that job, and from that, whether he’ll even interview. You won’t know if or when an NFL team calls a college coach unless the college coach releases that info. 
 

But if you think “reputation” is going to stop an NFL’s interest in a proven winner, I don’t know what to tell you. The amount of retreads and shady characters getting NFL jobs should tell you that’s bogus. If you’re a winner, all is forgiven. 

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48447

JonnyHintz

January 16th, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^

Now you’re assuming he has people who have agreed to go with him? Are you making that up? Source? Or are you really going to hang your hat on random NFL people starting the same rumors they do every year? Need I remind you “Oakland is still in play,” as Harbaugh is literally in the air on his way to AA? 

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48447