The decision to hire Gattis was made over the phone?

Submitted by One Armed Bandit on September 21st, 2019 at 9:10 PM

I don't know if this has been discussed, but I just read an article that sourced the Athletic that said Harbaugh hired Gattis after a 20 minute phone call. And he did it because Saban DIDN'T choose to promote Gattis to OC. Is this correct? Because if it is, Harbaugh's issues go far beyond game planning. He might have actually lost his mind.

Can anyone corroborate this info?

OwenGoBlue

September 21st, 2019 at 9:13 PM ^

I don't know how uncommon that is and you do most of your due diligence for any major hire outside of an interview anyway. Harbaugh tried to hire Gattis before so it's not like he was unfamiliar. 

Obviously if the hire fails it's on Harbaugh either way (and early returns...uh...) but I don't know if the problem is there wasn't an in-person interview. 

I do know the next time Michigan hires an Alabama OC I'm putting my life savings on the under on wins. 

Jimmyisgod

September 21st, 2019 at 9:15 PM ^

Oh. It’s been discussed here. And everyone thought it was awesome that Harbaugh was so sure he wanted him that he didn’t need to interview him. 
Know this, he asked Saban about staying and calling plays at Bama, Saban told him no, that he didn’t want a first time play caller learning on the job on his contender. 

Midukman

September 21st, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^

Yep, for 1 mill plus a year. Gattis supposedly told someone who knows someone who met someone here that he’d be out of here in two yrs. it’s pretty serious.  

maizehaze

September 21st, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^

Yep, this was incredibly suspicious when it happened too. Harbaugh found out he was going to Maryland then immediately decided to hire him. I guess he was thinking if he's good enough for Maryland, he's good enough for us.

Haskin’s Bandaid

September 21st, 2019 at 10:00 PM ^

I feel bad for Gattis. A bright and hungry young mind that gets a shot only to be sold snake oil. Harbaugh let’s him call plays between the 40s. Why the hell do you bring in Mason? Really? That’s all you can come up with for 2 weeks? Best offense was throwing it to your NFL sized WRs. 

M-B Devil Dog

September 21st, 2019 at 10:42 PM ^

I don't know why we as a fanbase are so afraid of the truth sometimes. you bring up something that basically says "wtf are we doing?" and everyone gets all pissed off and says oh stfu.  Gattis had zero experience ever calling plays in real time and like I've posted before, the NFL scouts roasted Patterson after last season and basically gave him terrible grades on damn near everything and THEN he goes and fucks off and plays golf all summer and Harbaugh makes remarks that he clearly isn't happy w/ "someone" but we all know it's directed at Patterson and we think he is going to come out and magically light the world on fire? neg away, I don't give a shit but we can't be afraid of the truth. 

DHughes5218

September 21st, 2019 at 11:59 PM ^

I didn’t know this either. I’m pretty sure if I’m hiring a first time play caller to come in and revamp the entire offense, I’m going to have him come into my office, grab a marker and show me on the whiteboard what he plans to do and why that’s the best way to do it. I’m going to come back at him with different defenses and what-ifs to see what he has to counter with. I can’t imagine just handing over the keys to a guy just because he was pleasant to talk to on the phone. - I don’t know. I’m drunk and damn it I earned this drunkenness so I’m not quite ready for bed.