Hackett Tells All: How Harbaugh Was Hired
Incredible interview of Jim Hackett just now on the Huge Show. Hackett told the entire story of how Harbaugh was hired. Too many highlights to list, but among them:
- The hiring process was code-named Project Unicorn.
- Harbaugh wanted to make totally sure that Hoke had been treated fairly before he’d even talk to Michigan.
- He didn’t name names, of course, but Hackett said that he was talking to several college coaches whose teams were in bowl games, and some other NFL coaches (he didn’t specify if they were head coaches or assistants).
- The day that Harbaugh and Hackett each signed the contract, Hackett couldn’t get his computer to work, so he had to take a picture of the contract on his iPhone so that he could send it to Harbaugh.
- Harbaugh wanted to make sure that Hackett was going to be sticking around as AD.
ALSO:
- A night game for Ohio State is highly unlikely; a night game for Michigan State isn’t quite as unlikely.
Incredibly honest interview. Jim MF Hackett is the anti-Brandon in every way.
It wasn’t uploaded when last I checked, but the Hackett interview should be uploaded soon at:
http://www.wbbl.com/common/page.php?pt=Huge+Show+Podcasts&id=1263&is_co…
The day that Harbaugh and Hackett each signed the contract, Hackett couldn’t get his computer to work, so he had to take a picture of the contract on his iPhone so that he could send it to Harbaugh.
Is it just me or do these things always seem to happen at pivotal moments like this? Obviously, glad it worked out, but I would hate to think it was potentially jeopardized because a computer decided to show us the more colorful side of its personality.
Or headsets.
The iPhone incident is going to be a pivotal scene when this is made into a movie. It's going to be like the tension in "Argo" when we don't know if they're going to get on the plane or not.
Just like whenever I am on a tight deadline, the printer ink is suddenly low or the once full of paper printer is now empty.
He obviosly found a way to get the right guy (Hackett) in charge. Hackett seems (so far) to be everything you want in an AD. Will make decisive moves when needed and is highly present on the day you want him to be, but otherwise seems to work entirely in the background.
Michigan football desperately needed this infusion of Jim Harbaugh. Hackett needed to get everyone in Ann Arbor swimming in the same direction, and he's done that. Success is NOT guaranteed by any means, but there is no question in my mind that this is the best shot we've had in a long time.
Schlissel had been in Ann Arbor all of, what, 6 months when he hired Hackett. I doubt he could have possibly have known or known of Hackett in that time. Who recommended Hackett so highly that Schlissel shrugged and said okay, you're hired?
It is nice to see Hackett getting the accolades he deserves as so far he seems to be doing most everything right. IIRC, when it was announced that he was going to be the "Interim" AD, there were plenty of folks one this site who were angry/upset/pissed that Michigan hired another "corporate type" and assumed he would be a DB clone.
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Women tend to find this chart demeaning, which I understand. And I always find the "sexy" or whatever metaphor uncomfortable when used on just about anything, and especially sports. But this chart really does some it up: Harbaugh is a 'unicorn'
and that is also one of the funniest videos you will ever see.
EDIT: and i bet it would equally funny to see the women make one about men.
You are so right, this is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen, and this version of it is where towards the end there is the how women rate guys scale. Priceless!
If you watch only 1 video tonight, make it this one.
of video on the flip-side, women's version on men, though i also think that for instance some of the women on this blog could do an hysterically funny one if they ever put their minds to it.
and married. The chart knows.
Hackett mentioned again that a famous retired football broadcaster who is no longer in sports told him "You didn't just get a great coach, you got the best coach in football today."
I can't come up with any ideas of who it is. Any one else have a clue?
I think you're right
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Keith Jackson?
The Notre Dame series had to be canceled, so Jeb York (a big domer) would have less reservations about JMFH coaching Michigan.
Seems like the predecessors (Brandon, Hoke) paved the way to make The Happening happen.
Obvious evidence of the football Illuminatti working behind the scenes.
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Nooooooobody!
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Timing is everything. If Harbaugh had been hired by Michigan in 2011 and was successful here, he might be more open to leaving for the challenge of the NFL. However, since he has had a taste of the NFL, he may be more content with staying at Mchigan until he retires.
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He did a lot of things right, and with high integrity, but not everything...
Such as the MSU Spike apology, and his part in the Morris concussion cluelessness (although DB left him hanging).
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I couldn't have spent the last 45 minutes any better. That was a wonderful listen. I hope it's transcribed for the board.
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Hackett for President.
1. John Madden on Jim Harbaugh
John Madden spoke candidly about 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News. The Hall of Fame coach, ex-broadcaster, video game mogul, and NFL advisor to commissioner Roger Goodell wasn’t short on the topic. Here are the highlights of coach on coach.
Madden thinks Harbaugh is great
"He's done one of the great coaching jobs ever, especially with that first year and the lockout and how he couldn't work with the players and they went all the way to the (NFC) Championship.
"Great coaching job."
Madden doesn’t think Harbaugh needs a pep-talk
"He's done a lot of good things and won a lot of big games. The last thing he needs is counseling on that.
"The answer is you don't do anything. People get close and try to do something. They panic and screw everything up."