Can this Jim Harbaugh be reanimated?
I hope he's not gone forever.
Pay particular attention to this one:
September 23rd, 2019 at 1:20 AM ^
"Anything is possibleeeeeeeeeeeee!" - Kevin Garnett after being asked a completely unrelated question.
I feel like we need to find the party responsible for castrating our coach, and the program in general, and kindly request with torches and pitchforks the return of the most beloved set of Michigan testicles in recent memory. Somebody is responsible for the neutering that has so obviously happened, can we discover the guilty party and get a petition going? Free the Harballs!!!
September 23rd, 2019 at 1:29 AM ^
I think the AD told him to cool it on the sideline after the 2017 season. The REFS or big 10 commissioner contacted our AD to make Harbaugh cool it in 2018. If you noticed he has been unanimated in 2018 and not into 2019. Even his press conference don't have any enthusiasm. Remember how he use to say a loss was going to put steel in the spine of his team. Now we see a tired looking Harbaugh saying the other team was better, coached better, played harder. Looks like a man in defeat.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:32 AM ^
Swear once he had his last kid it sucked the energy out of him. Or he realized his BP was bad and wants to live longer. But he went all Brady Hoke, players are kids now and are family to him.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:07 AM ^
I specifically remember him saying "the Stanford men played a great game today..." Back in the day
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:13 AM ^
I really think the 2016 OSU game shook him to his core. He out gameplanned them, M outplayed them and the refs screwed him. Since then (partly bc of the Harbaugh push back from the B10 refs) he made a change to his demeanor, but more foundationally he started 2nd guessing himself, his decisions, his offensive philosophy, etc. And the lack of competency from some of the guys he hired (the OL/OC he trusted that was a disaster here, Jed Fisch moving to UCLA of all places, Pep Hamilon) contributed to his lack of self assurance in his system.
I think perhaps that switching to the Gattis/Deep State/modern offense was the right move long term, but I'm worried that it's the worng move for M under Harbaugh in the short term. Imagine Bo going air-raid in the 80s. Some would have loved it, but I'm not sure it would have worked under Bo the way it did under Moeller. Simply b/c Bo didn't believe in it.
I can't imagine the Army performance of running ZC 33 times, followed by moving Mason back to RB and running him on 2nd and goal from the 7 as the lone back were 100% Gattis moves (all the while having more TEs than slot receivers all this year).
Bottom line is, these 3 games have solidified for me that JH lost his confidence in how he wants to run this team. The resulting disorganization, lack of identity, are obvious IMO
September 23rd, 2019 at 6:48 AM ^
The game shook him to the core quickly followed by having his newborn son spend a month in the NICU. That kind of stress can affect one long after the initial incidents.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:14 AM ^
I forgot about that and I'm surprized more haven't mentioned it - I suspected a medical thing (much like Lloyd Carr late in his career, something seemed off at times in terms of health/appreance) but there were no rumors popping up (until Sat night on some of these threads) and that's a heavy amount speculation in this case with only demeanor seemingly affected.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:37 AM ^
I can't believe the refs threw a pick six and fumbled at the the 1 yard line. The refs then had the audacity to let curtis samuels escape 6 would-be tacklers.
Edit: I will beat this drum that Michigan blew that game with mistakes. Throwing a interception when we are already backed up in our own territory and then fumble when we are about the punch the ball in for a TD or at the very least get a field goal. Neg me to oblivion for saying the truth.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:35 AM ^
Absolutely correct.
We made enough mistakes to allow a single 50/50 call from the refs make our fans insane.
What no one seems to mention is even after the spot, OSU is still only on the 15 yard line.
There isn’t a rule against stopping a team from the 15.
September 23rd, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
Both of them can be true, yes UM could have still overcome the officials in that game, but that doesn't excuse that they had to do that in the first place. That game was a travesty in officiating, you are out of your damn mind if you think the spot was the only problem with the officiating that day. That was one of the most unfairly officiated games I have ever seen and I guarantee that it really impacted Jim to his core in a game where everything was on the line.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
OSU couldn't do anything on offense. We gifted them a touchdown. Speight also threw another interception that OSU returned to our 13 yd line. They scored 17 in regulation. One TD on a pick six. The other on a 2 play 13 yard drive after the 2nd interception. We gifted them that game.
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
Again, it's not a either/or. I am not sure what is so hard to comprehend about that concept. More than one thing can be true. UM shot itself in the foot and the officiating was also a travesty, both things are true, period.
September 24th, 2019 at 8:05 AM ^
Agree to disagree. Officiating was bad, but we still could have won. You tell me what's more important in winning a game. Playing well or having good officiating?
September 23rd, 2019 at 5:57 AM ^
Looking at this now I’m even more concerned. I had almost forgotten that version of Jim. Eeek. Please come back with at least a little bit of the old you. Quickly.
September 23rd, 2019 at 6:03 AM ^
That’s the Jim Harbaugh I want.
September 23rd, 2019 at 6:23 AM ^
I loved that, it was hard to watch at times, but it really seemed the team responded to that energy. Where did you go Jim? We miss you...
Signed,
Bandaid
September 23rd, 2019 at 6:36 AM ^
He’s on meds, and he’s been sedated. You can’t just shut off that type of competitive spirit and turn someone into a zombie because he “decided to chill out.”
You’d at least seethe anger, rage, passion being held back..instead he looks dead inside. He’s on the same crap they gave Mike Tyson, probably an ssri + a benzo
but hey, at least he is behaving like a “Michigan man” which is all that matters to the half of the fan base that is stuck 40 years in the past.
i miss JMFH
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:19 AM ^
My thought exactly - no grimacing, teeth clenching, etc.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
He's not showing the rage and he's not showing the joy either. I think that is what I really miss. The Harbaugh that we hired seemed to have an almost child-like enthusiasm for the game. That gif of him smashing Speight on the shoulder pads is probably the most indicative of all of them.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:02 AM ^
He's lost the team & he knows it. Can he get them back??
Animated on sidelines has nothing to do with it. Maybe coming up with competent game plans on both sides of the ball to start ...
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:06 AM ^
This is not a good take but it’s one at a visceral level I understand. You have to keep in mind that “crazy Harbaugh” will be cute when they win but wears out its welcome quite fast after losses. All we’d hear is “be nice if he won some games he should stop acting like an asshole until he wins the big ones”.
I get it though from a visual perspective it would be mice to see some fight.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:27 AM ^
“Crazy Harbaugh” was part of why they won in his first 2 years. Sure a few bad breaks and bs officiating, but even with average to above average qb play, he took Hoke’s 5 win team and turned them into hungry, confident, run through the wall type players, and the brink of the playoffs.
The team is in hibernation just like the coach ever since “toning it down” after OSU 2016 robbery.
JMFH needs to return...I really miss that guy.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:12 AM ^
Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't I honestly don't know. I tend to think it's less about that and I'm pretty confident most of the guys would tell you they saw "intense harbaugh" after the army game.
I'm not actually arguing with you I'd prefer to see a little fire but it feels like the issues are deeper and that there is more than one thing.
But, again, I hear you I'd welcome that Harbaugh. Hell even against rutgers I'd love to see them get a little amped up even for shit rutgers. Actually I'd love to see him lose his shit during the game.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:30 AM ^
He must have been treated to a lobotomy at the UM Medical Center. He is not a leader any longer. Can't field a team when it counts.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:35 AM ^
Shit like this is really pathetic. If you have your fanbase all wondering where your fire has gone, even going so far a to come up with elaborate armchair diagnoses, then you have failed. You are done. The university, its players, and their fans can't wait around for you to literally travel the world to figure your shit out. You are a big boy. Your are very wealthy. Take some time off. Get to where you need to be. And give someone else a shot.
September 23rd, 2019 at 7:56 AM ^
You missed the Jim Schwartz pat on the back one. One of the best.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:06 AM ^
Not going to be a popular take but the dude in those gifs is not a healthy man.
I'm not saying a kind and gentle mouse is what you want in a football coach but spittle-flecked rage is probably not a good way to live your life.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:19 AM ^
Thanks Doc Participation Trophy.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:16 AM ^
Incredibly successful people have sociopathic tendencies...many studies have been done on this regarding CEOs, entrepreneurs, coaches, etc.
These coaches at elite (big name) programs are not hired for their ability to find a work-life balance. Hence, many burn out early, or can't handle the stress, etc.
You're hiring a CEO, not middle management Bob from accounting.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:11 AM ^
Been saying for a couple years he must be taking something (I'm with you Jim), but that wouldn't explain why he suddenly can't gameplan.
I'm so confused.
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
I say the real Harbaugh was kidnapped and replaced by an exact double, who was trained in a Siberian gulag to be a listless, spiritless shadow of the real man. He would then lead UM to season after season of mediocrity and early December bowl game defeats. This nefarious plot was financed by a shadowy group with ties to the SEC, who have never forgiven Harbaugh for setting up those football camps down South.
Why not? It's got as much basis in fact as these "wild ass guesses," "pure speculation," and other horseshit coming from people who don't actually know the man. At least my theory's sexier.
Now excuse me while I go buy more tin foil for a new hat.
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
He's being held with the real Paul McCartney (for those of you old enough to remember).
September 23rd, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
I know he decided to tone it down but the result is a guy who looks like he's just going through the motions. This is not an improvement.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:09 AM ^
He hires Gattis after a 20 minute phone conversation?? I posted this in the coaches thread - but that thread might be done by now? Clip below from a Yahoo Sports article ...
"Gattis’ early struggles should be pinned squarely on Harbaugh. The offseason coronation of Gattis as a great hire included these delicious details in a story in The Athletic – “There was no interview. No face-to-face meeting. No get-up-on-the-board-and-show-me-how-you-run-this session. Not even a tell-me-about-your-offensive-philosophy discussion.”
Harbaugh basically put the future of the program on a 20-minute phone conversation, which is a bit like getting engaged after the first drink on a first date. And he did it knowing that Nick Saban had an opportunity to promote Gattis to the same job and declined. That’s impulsive and reckless even by Harbaugh’s standards, and was begging for more skepticism from an athletic director and administration who’d already seen a pattern of bad hires and dysfunctional offenses."
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:24 AM ^
Didn't he hire Don Brown off a recommendation?
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:43 AM ^
It was actually after making a google search.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
Brown had a great track record as a coordinator. Gattis did not.
September 23rd, 2019 at 3:35 PM ^
A recommendation from Bill Belichick. It's a little different.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:23 AM ^
JH can't win. I might be in the minority, but I feel for the guy. When he's fired up, being himself, outsiders criticize him. When he's toned down, fans criticize him. Let's not forget the fact that 55 years old is relatively young for coaches, but this is a stressful job. Who knows what his family has said to him? Who knows how much watching Bo have multiple heart issues has affected him?
What I do know is that he needs to understand and trust the offense Gattis has installed. I don't care who calls the plays, but that's the offense we have and that's the offense we must run. And we need to get it together quickly because our DL will not be able to hold these B1G offensive lines in check.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
I said we need to get this Harbaugh back in another thread. We absolutely need this version of Harbaugh back, the one with fire in his belly. The guy who rankled the SEC with his satellite camps and ran the score up on USC prompting the famous "what's your deal?" from Pete Carroll.
Maybe Tony Robbins can come give him a pep talk.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
BRENT VENABLES.
He's the best defensive mind in college football today. Seems to be the only DC in college football capable of stopping Elite modern offenses (i.e. in CFP formats).
Only 48 yrs old. Has been the #2 man at top-5 programs (Oklahoma/Clemson) for the past 20 yrs (since he was 28 yrs old). An excellent recruiter -- Rivals' 2016 National Recruiter of the year.
Knows how it's done at a top program. Has enough experience to be ready 3 or 4 times over. No black marks, violations, accusations in his history. Could probably bring one of Clemson's co-OC's with him (Tony Elliott--the more proven offensive mind *or* Jeff Scott--the elite recruiter).
Dabo, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Ryan Day -- 4 of the coaches at top-5 programs in the country assumed their current positions with no prior HC'ing experience.
The answer is clear. I personally think he's the next Nick Saban.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:40 AM ^
We aren’t going to let him hand out bags of cash to get 5 stars.
I would rather have Chryst.
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
Zero accusations have ever even been suggested re: Venables. Putting dumb baseless things like that out into the universe out of general bitterness is irresponsible.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^
This is true, but the Clemson program looks pretty dirty as a whole. Venables won't have that level of advantage at Michigan.
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:38 AM ^
I would love to see the Jim Harbaugh that patted Jim Schwartz too hard after the game, or the "Whats your deal" Harbaugh after destroying Pete Carroll while at Stanford. I agree with what others have said here, a 15 yard penalty here or there would not hurt my feelings at all as long as the wins come. I still believe Jim can right the ship, He has all the tools and the talent to do so. My biggest issue is he is the proverbial lightning rod when it comes to the media no matter what part of the country they are in. He brings some of it on himself, however it just seems like no matter which talking head it is, they just want to see him and UM fail. I could be alone on this, but I don't think that is the case. I will still wear my maize and blue, watch on saturdays and show up for games. I am just not ready to bail on him or the team. Just my 2 cents. Forever and always, Go Blue!!!
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:48 AM ^
Instead we get...
September 23rd, 2019 at 9:51 AM ^
I'm totally with this- I enjoyed it when he lost it on the sidelines. And, His players rose to the occasion because they knew they had a coach who would fight for them. I don't see any fire in the players anymore. Let's see the old coach Harbaugh again- I am okay with a few 15 yard penalties for unsportsmanlike from coach. Problem is- I rarely see flags thrown agains other coaches who cuss out the referees or have meltdowns on the sidelines. It is the Harbaugh rule- media created it. All I heard from people when Coach had a meltdown during a game was- wow, he's nuts. He needs to calm down. Forget that. Let him be that guy again. We need it. The team needs it- trying to play with no identity. Let's be a team of crazies that people are afraid to play.
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
Maybe he will guarantee a win over Rutgers this week!
September 23rd, 2019 at 10:33 AM ^
It won't matter.
Michigan is breaking in a significant offensive scheme change, and 4 weeks in still doesn't know what it's doing. Gattis is probably competent as a scheme coach, but is definitely not a seasoned offensive play caller.
Michigan has insufficient depth at DL which is not going away any time soon. The Big10 slog is going to lead to injuries. It may get a lot worse than Ben Mason at DT.
Michigan still has a major talent deficit compared to its rivals: Ohio State, Notre Dame, and this gap never closed under Harbaugh, and probably cannot anymore given the coaching hot seat he is suddenly now on.
It's still Jim Harbaugh. But the team depth and talent is just not there. And the talent they do have hasn't been used properly yet (example: WRs, QB, running backs).