In-depth article in DetNews from Sam Webb about our recruits from Georgia

Submitted by Amaizing Blue on

Thought this was a really interesting look at Harbaugh's recruiting strategy and why it's so effective.  Apparently he spends a lot of time talking to recruits about life after football, which really resonates with some.  Also, this quote should be brought out every time Saban starts babbling about Adam's housecat or Hugh Freeze brings up time with his kids.

 

Added Solomon, "(The camp) definitely affected how I looked at them. (Initially) I was listening to the SEC and all that talk about how Michigan is just doing this for publicity and stuff. Then I noticed, they're really doing this for the players. People who don't really get scouted that much – they're doing it for them. I really admire (Michigan) for that."

 

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wol…

 

 

maizenbluenc

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:21 AM ^

The ship had a Cuban doctor and a Russian nurse. She reminded me of the pipeline worker in The Living Daylights.

Anyway, the dynamic between doctor and nurse as we set my son's forearm (we meaning I pulled one end while the doctor pulled the other) was very interesting. It was clear between the size dynamic and the former communist state hierachy dynamic that the nurse was in charge in that sick bay.

(Note: the lesson learned was make sure you buy trip insurance on cruises. I had it, and was thankful to get my son home most expenses covered to be operated on.)

WolvinLA2

June 22nd, 2016 at 1:33 PM ^

Definitely not. It's a minority of them for sure, but lots of doctors are dicks to the nurses. I was in a case recently where a doctor made a nurse cry for putting his gloves on wrong.

stephenrjking

June 22nd, 2016 at 1:53 PM ^

I know many doctors who are terrific, genuine, and caring. Professional and personable.

And I know some who aren't.

Like the rest of us humans, the profession of "doctor" includes a pretty wide range of people. 

FWIW, at that hospital referenced above, there was one doctor (not the one mentioned in the anecdote) who was pretty sharp with the nursing staff on a regular basis. They didn't particularly like him. They did, however, respect him--the usual quote was, "I don't like him, but if I had a serious labor complication I'd want him working the case."

So it goes.

Farnn

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^

The crazy thing about the camps is everyone else is obviously doing it for recruiting while it's a much more subtle and long game approach for Michigan.  Not sure if this article by TomVH is insider, but it shows a great contrast between how the schools go about the camps.  Michigan is focused on coaching, Rutgers is focused on getting to see the recruits they are interested in enough times.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/162390…

Just like in Georgia where Smart just showed up to meet the kids Georgia is recruiting.

samsoccer7

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^

I've been thinking about how Michigan's approach is different and I think I know why.  I think it's because many of these coaches don't expect to be at the same school in 3-5 years so there's no point in building for the future when you need to build for now.  Sure, Chris Ash could do camps and do serious coaching at them, then if he switches jobs in 2-3 years kids will remember him.  But I think that's different than Harbaugh who bleeds Maize & Blue and is building a foundation for the future.

lbpeley

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^

coach that said UM wouldn't pull any of the high ranked recruits that the SEC really wanted anyway? Must be Saban's offer wasn't really an offer.

csmhowitzer

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^

It's hard to make a good objective point when I am so biased, but it does sound like Harbaugh is do a lot more than recruiting (as all of us on here knew to begin with), and it isnt' jsut what he's saying. The Aubrey story is nice, I'm sure it isn't the first time a coach has told a player that they can have a life outside of football. I think the difference is that everyone is on board with everythign he's doing. He is a true leader and it's hard to ignore it. Regardless of the team he is coaching for. He is coming off as the guy he says he is. Backing up his words with action and I think that's very attractive for prospects. A good article by detnews. Thanks OP.

HimJarbaugh

June 22nd, 2016 at 10:50 AM ^

I love how ahead of the curve Michigan is with their recruiting pitch. Being able to tell a kid that they may not make it in the league and if they do, their career probably won't be very long has to be kind of a hit to some guys egos, but it seems to work and hopefully resonates with more intelligent players.

You know there will be schools copying this and it will be funny to hear about how "Ole Miss seemed very concerned with my life after football."

stephenrjking

June 22nd, 2016 at 11:05 AM ^

He doesn't have to talk about a short or disappointing career. Even for a solid pro having a good life after is important, and there is more emphasis on the post-career now with the increasing discussion of head injuries. By addressing the entire life of the player Harbaugh is demonstrating a genuine care for their well-being rather than just the well-being of the football program.

HimJarbaugh

June 22nd, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^

I get that. My point is more that I am sure many big time recruits are being told by most coaches in the country how they are the best and will play as soon as they set foot on campus and will go on to play in the pros. I know Saban had some collage of signing bonus checks from former Alabama players, one way of saying "come here and we'll put you in the NFL." That, four rings, and an earthquake simulator is enough for him to pull top talent. 

Blue Balls Afire

June 22nd, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^

Brian hit the nail on the head a few posts ago.  To the dunderheads in the SEC, satellite camps are all about recruiting because they make it all about recruiting!  To Harbaugh, it's not JUST about recruiting, and it doesn't have to be, which makes all the arguments against it so stupid and off the mark.  Recruiting is a part of it, certainly, but its more than that to JH.  I'm glad some kids are able to pick up on that even though SEC coaches can't.

LSAClassOf2000

June 22nd, 2016 at 12:30 PM ^

The charisma Coach Harbaugh had is what sold Aubrey. (Saturday) Aubrey was supposed to be at Alabama. He was supposed to be down at Alabama and he chose to come see (Michigan). He just loved the community of it, the family atmosphere."

We're already winning little victories here and there when you hear statements like this, where a recruit that wouldn't normally consider Michigan is choosing to visit Michigan over Alabama. The camps bring Michigan to the players, and coming to see Michigan is the next step. You don't need to beat the SEC in every little skirmish, but just by being present in mind, you're already guaranteed a few wins on the recruiting front. 

N. Campus Tech

June 22nd, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^

"By railing against the camps and casting Harbaugh as their primary defender, those taking that tact have made him the champion of the kids that get overlooked.  They’ve made him the coach that’s in it for the love of the game."

How the geniuses in the SEC couldn’t figure out that this would be the result of their campaign against camps is beyond me. Not that I’m complaining. 

dragonchild

June 22nd, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^

Why is this anything but the expected result?

The SEC is practically the Westeros of football.  Everyone's after each other, so you're either paranoid or naive.  They're as clueless as GRRM about the existence of, let alone have any idea what to do with, the Real Deal who isn't Stark levels of stupid.

Harbaugh will Batman the shit out of the SEC, all day.