CC: "Destroy Harbaugh," from MGoBlog's back pages

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December 10th, 2010 at 3:10 PM
#1
Huckleby4Heisman
Joined: 11/07/2009
MGoPoints: 129
CC: "Destroy Harbaugh," from MGoBlog's back pages

I'm hesitant to wade into the volatile message-board minefield that is the should-he-stay-or-should-he-go? coaching debate, but one thing in today's debate over the merit or lack thereof of Michael Rosenberg's current column has me perplexed: the MGoBlog community has an elephant's memory in regards to everything the Freep has ever published critical of Michigan football, but how sharp are the collective synapses when the publication in question is this blog?

To wit, here's this blast-from-the-past from the MGoBlog archives, the succinctly titled missive  "Destroy Harbaugh." Reread Brian's meticulously researched 2007 post (revised in 2008) and then explain with a straight face how the current Stanford coach is supposed to be the savior of the Michigan football tradition:

http://mgoblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/destroy-harbaugh.html

Weren't Harbaugh's 2007 comments and the flap that followed every bit as harmful—if not more so—to the program as anything in Rosenberg's clip file, impugning the integrity of not only the coaches and athletic department but the university's academic standing itself?

Moreover, if I recall correctly, Harbaugh's statements precipitated (if not directly inspired) 2008's ur-Jihad, the four-part Ann Arbor News investigative series on the Michigan athletic department, which, while not scoring any direct hits with the NCAA's Department of Selective Inquisition, at the very least seeded the clouds for the antagonistic climate that has contaminated the media coverage and riven the fanbase ever since. (To pursue the analogy to its ridiculous conclusion, if the Freep's Stretchgate kerfuffle was "9/11," then the AANews series was the 1993 WTC bombing.)

But maybe it's my own memory that's deficient: Besides his Bo-era Michigan undergrad pedigree, a DUI arrest (which hearkens back to the Gary Moeller years, I guess), some Cardinal upset victories over USC, and one 11-1 season, what exactly makes Harbaugh a leader and best?

"Thank you Fielding Yost, thank you Fielding Yost for that one!"

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December 10th, 2010 at 3:16 PM | I'm glad this post didn't (Score:1)
aaamichfan
aaamichfan's picture
Joined: 10/23/2009
MGoPoints: 14217

I'm glad this post didn't contain the phrase, "twist in the wind". I'm getting really tired of reading that. 

Can people at least come up with something more creative?

December 10th, 2010 at 3:18 PM | It's Hard (Score:1)
goblubigguy
goblubigguy's picture
Joined: 02/22/2009
MGoPoints: -78

Trying to twist one in the wind.

December 10th, 2010 at 5:52 PM | Or pissing into it for that (Score:1)
Dreisbach Turne...
Dreisbach Turner Overdrive's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 6788

Or pissing into it for that matter.

Syracuse '03, Michigan G'05

Space bitches, space.

December 10th, 2010 at 10:39 PM | And you don't mess around with Jim (Score:1)
Muttley
Muttley's picture
Joined: 07/07/2009
MGoPoints: 4588

.

 

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
bluebloggin
bluebloggin's picture
Joined: 12/04/2010
MGoPoints: 336

Floundering without a raft?

I piss excellence and poop gold

December 10th, 2010 at 3:47 PM | Fart in (Score:1)
BornInAA
BornInAA's picture
Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 3667

a Hurricane?

life is like a box of chocolates... and you got the Whizzo Quality Assortment

December 10th, 2010 at 6:09 PM | How bout dangle? (Score:1)
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 5948

Dangle in the breeze?

not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user

December 10th, 2010 at 3:14 PM | I am... (Score:1)
FuManBlue
FuManBlue's picture
Joined: 01/20/2010
MGoPoints: 1273

making room for you.

I'm kind of a big deal in Bolivia.

December 10th, 2010 at 3:36 PM | Dude.... (Score:1)
Blue in Yarmouth
Blue in Yarmouth's picture
Joined: 02/18/2009
MGoPoints: 2327

you are going to be out of Bolivia in no time with comments like this and that avatar which as they say, is worth a thousand words. Keep the faith brother!

December 10th, 2010 at 3:41 PM | Wonder (Score:1)
Mi Sooner
Joined: 02/09/2010
MGoPoints: 1307

What the avatar will be when he goes back into positive territory above the Mendoza line. Has it been picked out yet?

Born in Oklahoma
Raised in Ohio
Escaped to Meechigan

December 10th, 2010 at 3:49 PM | (No subject) (Score:1)
FuManBlue
FuManBlue's picture
Joined: 01/20/2010
MGoPoints: 1273

I'm kind of a big deal in Bolivia.

December 10th, 2010 at 4:06 PM | In the zone! (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

You are in the zone this afternoon, my friend.  I hereby declare this day: "Posbang FuManBlue" Day!

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 4:57 PM | (No subject) (Score:1)
FuManBlue
FuManBlue's picture
Joined: 01/20/2010
MGoPoints: 1273

I'm kind of a big deal in Bolivia.

December 10th, 2010 at 9:15 PM | Posbang Explosion (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

At the suggestion of this humbled MGoReader, the MGoCommunity has spoken.  Now go forth, FuManBlue.  Go forth and prosper with this posbang.  Do great things.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 3:39 PM | I forgot to add... (Score:1)
FuManBlue
FuManBlue's picture
Joined: 01/20/2010
MGoPoints: 1273

that when you get here I will be the pitcher and you will be the catcher, If you know what I mean..YA DIG!

I'm kind of a big deal in Bolivia.

December 10th, 2010 at 5:49 PM | Being negged to Bolivia (Score:1)
Sopwith
Sopwith's picture
Joined: 06/29/2010
MGoPoints: 1622

isn't all THAT bad when you consider their new retirement age:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101210/ap_on_bi_ge/lt_bolivia_retirement_age

"You know, for a bartender/bookie, you're pretty judgmental."

December 11th, 2010 at 11:50 AM | heh. (Score:1)
clarkiefromcanada
clarkiefromcanada's picture
Joined: 11/21/2008
MGoPoints: 12998

Negged to Bolivian...

If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone

December 10th, 2010 at 3:21 PM | No. (Score:1)
Section 1
Section 1's picture
Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: 14295

What MGoBlog pointed out was that Harbaugh's comments were wrong.  They were mostly without basis, and they may have been motivated more than anything by Jim Harbaugh's desire to recruit against Michigan, although the two schools seemed to not compete for very many student-athletes by virtue of geography if nothing else.

But, no; Harbaugh did not launch an NCAA investigation against Michigan.

Now, if you think that Jim Harbaugh has been getting a lot of uncritical worshipful reporting lately, I submit that Exhibit A in that brief, would be the October slurpy-love-letter profile of John and Jim Harbaugh in america's leading sports magazine, Sports Illustrated.  Authored by... wait for it... 

Michael Rosenberg.

 

 

December 10th, 2010 at 4:19 PM | You may have something there- (Score:1)
briangoblue
briangoblue's picture
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 5016

At the time the comments were made (the Carr era), Michigan recruited California pretty heavily.

December 10th, 2010 at 7:05 PM | in the past (Score:1)
eamus_caeruli
Joined: 11/29/2010
MGoPoints: 546

Jim seems like a "there's a method behind my madness kind of guy." Not really sure these comments and his DUI are that concerning since they happened four years ago.  People change, that is a fact.

"Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself."                  - Leo Tolstoy

December 10th, 2010 at 6:53 PM | The comments weren't about (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

The comments weren't about recruiting.  Harbaugh felt that Carr had twice slighted him: first, by passing him over in favor of Loeffler for the QB coach job back in 2002, and then after the 2006 season when word reached Harbaugh (then coaching USD) that his résumé wasn't good enough to earn him a shot at replacing Carr.  Harbaugh then unexpectedly landed the Stanford job not long after that, and took the opportunity to vent. 

December 10th, 2010 at 9:16 PM | No excuses (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Neither of these, nor the two combined, were reason enough to "vent" in such a public manner.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 3:17 PM | The highlight of this was (Score:1)
CWoodson
CWoodson's picture
Joined: 09/15/2009
MGoPoints: 1338

The highlight of this post was comparing 9/11 to a report about too much stretching.  Might have been worth taking a step back before making that painfully stupid comment, you assclown.

IGotARashMan

December 10th, 2010 at 6:52 PM | actually (Score:1)
Mgoscottie
Mgoscottie's picture
Joined: 08/25/2009
MGoPoints: 1376

he compared the difference between 9/11 and the 93 bombing with the difference between stretchgate and Harbaugh's comments. 

Let me know if you want me to read anything else for you......

I don't care who wins, as long as it's Michigan.....

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM | Cue: Generic CC thread "Facepalm" picture (Score:1)
icefins26
icefins26's picture
Joined: 02/01/2009
MGoPoints: 10521

Cue:  Generic CC thread "Facepalm" picture, "This won't end well" picture and atomic bomb video in 5,4,3,2,1....

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM | Besides his Bo-era Michigan (Score:1)
08mms
Joined: 07/02/2009
MGoPoints: 1683

Besides his Bo-era Michigan undergrad pedigree

That is your answer.  Even if it wasn't great for the program and not the most respectful of statements, a former starting letterman probably has the credibility to criticize stuff like that (especially when he has a history of brash ill-thought statements that helped define him as a Michigan Man, e.g. guarenteeing the win against OSU).  I don't want to wade into the CC debate here, I would prefer our new Michigan Man as head coach to transform us into a death star, but you a fucking idiot if you imply a successful former star and fellow alumn isn't a "Michigan Man"

December 10th, 2010 at 3:24 PM | am I (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7194

a "fucking idiot" if I think the term "Michigan Man" is a bunch of meaningless twaddle that needs to die an immediate, horrific death? 

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

December 10th, 2010 at 7:12 PM | word (Score:1)
eamus_caeruli
Joined: 11/29/2010
MGoPoints: 546

over played and over used.  People need to realize that is almost a selective moniker, not a right with a UofM letterman or degree.  Where we saying that about LC when he was coaching?  I must of missed that if we were. 

Seriously, if DB went after Chris Petersen, wouldn't this board or fan base be totally bumped? To me he might be the best candidate. 

Doesn't he have exactly what we are all looking for in a head coach?

"Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself."                  - Leo Tolstoy

December 10th, 2010 at 3:30 PM | I compulsively neg people who (Score:1)
chunkums
chunkums's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 9106

I compulsively neg people who seriously use the phrase "Michigan Man."

For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.

December 10th, 2010 at 3:42 PM | But (Score:1)
brandanomano
brandanomano's picture
Joined: 09/05/2009
MGoPoints: 4400

If you neg anyone on this site, you aren't a real Michigan Man

Special Teams means special times!

December 11th, 2010 at 12:14 AM | Besides (Score:1)
EdLed
Joined: 02/04/2010
MGoPoints: 52

JH statements were called "arrogant, elitist and self-serving" by Lloyd Carr

Yes, 

 

Brandon is the man. RR is here for the long haul. Just listen to Dave

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM |   (Score:1)
Mich_Faithful
Mich_Faithful's picture
Joined: 11/08/2010
MGoPoints: 6467

 

How 'bout I punchisize your face, for free.

December 10th, 2010 at 4:11 PM | shotgun? (Score:1)
UMGooch
UMGooch's picture
Joined: 12/16/2009
MGoPoints: 588

I wonder what play he is calling. Either way, this is making me lol. At work. I'm gonna get fired.

Hail.

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM | Im so confused (Score:1)
yostlovesme
yostlovesme's picture
Joined: 01/13/2010
MGoPoints: 5518

Im so confused

December 10th, 2010 at 3:19 PM | How can you possibly claim (Score:1)
Syyk
Syyk's picture
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 2032

How can you possibly claim that MGoBlog has forggoten about this?  It's brought up constantly in the coaching change threads. 

December 10th, 2010 at 3:21 PM | 3-7, 5-7, 7-5 with no winning Big Ten record or top 25 wins (Score:1)
cp4three2
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 782

Changes peoples' minds pretty quickly, especially when the comment about the admissions, compared to Stanford, were legitimate.   It was added by Rich Rod trying to get guys like Dorsey through admissions.  An apology and a win against OSU and no one cares anymore.

December 10th, 2010 at 3:29 PM | It hasn't and won't change my mind (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Speak for yourself.  Personally, I would rather have a coach win 7-8 games a year that lives and dies with the team than someone who bad-mouths the program when it suits him and then apologizes for the comments when that suits him as well.  Any effective apology should have come a few days after the statement was made, not in an attempt to be accepted as the head coach.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 3:37 PM | Nice (Score:1)
UM97GOBLUE
UM97GOBLUE's picture
Joined: 10/19/2009
MGoPoints: 469

I like!

Very well said.

+1 to you

ForeverBlue..."The team! The team! The team!"

December 10th, 2010 at 4:07 PM | Right back at 'cha (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Thank you, kind sir.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 4:11 PM | LLoyd Carr was always (Score:1)
UMdad
UMdad's picture
Joined: 05/14/2009
MGoPoints: 1971

LLoyd Carr was always considered a great father figure and teacher to his players.  He had a dictionary outside of his office and expected his players to look up and learn the definition of a word before entering.  He never ran up the score, and was classy to everyone but the media.  He coupled that with winning 9-10 games every year.  What did all of that get him?  Non stop questioning of his conservative playcalling and bitching about firing him. 

December 10th, 2010 at 6:57 PM | He wasn't exactly classy to (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

He wasn't exactly classy to Rich Rodriguez, either.

Do you have any actual basis for this?

December 10th, 2010 at 7:21 PM | last few years (Score:1)
eamus_caeruli
Joined: 11/29/2010
MGoPoints: 546

exactly, the last few years has really let the cat out of the bag concerning us as fans, and we have shown are true colors.  We splinter far too often, and have an entiltlement attitude.  I though it was more of a HIll and Wastenaw attitude when I was on campus, but I see it runs a bit deeper than I hoped.  LC was a very good coach, he wasn't perfect and certainly didn't always do things sqeaky clean; but he won and we played in quality post-season games.  Some we had no chance in, some we should of played better by rights and match-up. 

Now look at us, the program and our reputation in CFB? 

"Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself."                  - Leo Tolstoy

December 10th, 2010 at 5:23 PM | I'm not saying it's right or wrong (Score:1)
cp4three2
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 782

I'm just merely pointing out that if he is indeed named our coach and starts beating our rivals, anybody who had their feelings hurt by his comments  or who are still mad at him for them, will be in the extreme minority.  

December 11th, 2010 at 12:09 AM | I'm (Score:1)
EdLed
Joined: 02/04/2010
MGoPoints: 52

Highly doubtful.

Yes, 

 

Brandon is the man. RR is here for the long haul. Just listen to Dave

December 10th, 2010 at 3:42 PM | Really? (Score:1)
Blue in Yarmouth
Blue in Yarmouth's picture
Joined: 02/18/2009
MGoPoints: 2327

Steady improvement over three years is a cause to change people minds (in a negative way)? Speak for yourself please, and watch you don't twist something while jumping off the bandwagon.....or don't.

December 10th, 2010 at 4:17 PM | Here is my issue with the (Score:1)
UMdad
UMdad's picture
Joined: 05/14/2009
MGoPoints: 1971

Here is my issue with the improvement argument - he is only improving over his own poor seasons.  Is he improving from the year before him?  The three years before him?  The 10 year average?  No.  Apparently, the best thing you could do as a new coach is lose all of your games that first year, then you can trumpet about improvement for the next four years.

December 10th, 2010 at 4:46 PM | The past is the past (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

I just don't subscribe to that line of thinking.  The past is the past.  You cannot judge Rodriguez on what happened between 2005-2008.  You simply cannot.  If you make a decision on that basis, he should have been fired after his first season.  If you are looking at his tenure, then you simply must take into account the improvements over the last 3 years (if you do, in fact, believe there has been improvement).

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 7:09 PM | And what improvements have (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

And what improvements have taken place on defense and special teams over the past three years?  Do we really have a head coach, or a glorified offensive coordinator? 

December 10th, 2010 at 9:23 PM | C'mon now (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Please do not But stand on your soap box and argue that going from 3-7 (his own fault or not) to 7-5 and a bowl game is not improvement simply because the defense and special teams were very bad this year.  To do so seems to ignore any and all positives to skew the actual results.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

December 10th, 2010 at 9:29 PM | Trust me, it's not worth it.  (Score:1)
OMG Shirtless
OMG Shirtless's picture
Joined: 08/16/2009
MGoPoints: 1486

Trust me, it's not worth it.  He's a broken record.  It may not be as much improvement as we hoped for, but it is improvement. Last year the team was sitting home at this time. This year they're practicing for a bowl game. 

I put up a tough front, but deep down I just want to be held.

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