Harbaugh's Big Person Table

Submitted by mgobaran on January 10th, 2024 at 11:58 AM

By now, we've all heard Jim's comment on finally joining the big person's table at his family dinners. His father Jack has a National Title with WKU, his brother the Super Bowl. You've heard him talk about the player's parents and grandparents, winning this National Title for them, or how special it is to celebrate with them on the field. You've heard him mention his two loves, his work family and his home family. 

What I haven't really seen Jim address, or anyone question him about, is the one person who occupies both loves - Work and Home. Jay Harbaugh. 

He already has a Super Bowl ring under his belt as the Offensive Quality Control Coach with the Ravens in 2013. Now he adds National Championship to his resume as the Special Teams coordinator and Safeties coach. Does he get a seat at the Big Person's table? Is it any more special to Jim since he got to accomplish that with Jay?

I know he's been a topic of consternation around here for the special teams mishaps this season - mainly the Alabama game and the Punt Return team all season long. But he has had his hands in great RB and TE rooms, and this is an exceptional safety room that rotated 4 guys - including Quinten Johnson who was written off years ago. His recruiting track record is strong as hell.

Hat's off to our Nepotism Hire(tm), because Jay really knows how to do his job and has been an integral part of bringing Michigan back to this point. I do hope someone brings him up to Jim, because he deserves the spotlight for at least a question or two. 

I still can't believe we're National Champions! Go Blue!!

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jimmyjoeharbaugh

January 10th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^

I've been really surprised Jaybaugh hasn't gotten a shot at a bigger job (coordinator?) somewhere else. Or maybe he doesn't want one. 

but anyway yeah, he's been great for us. 

who knows if the big boy table counts championships earned as an assistant though. 

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1VaBlue1

January 10th, 2024 at 12:25 PM ^

I think Jay needs some time away from the comfort of family hires.  He's pulling his own weight, but I doubt many others see it that way because of people like Ferentz the Junior.  I wonder if he's getting any Coordinator level offers, at all, let alone if he's even trying to find some (doubt he's been looking).  But I don't think they'll come unless he's content to take a lateral move just to prove himself outside of the family.

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Ezeh-E

January 10th, 2024 at 1:22 PM ^

Sure--if his goal is to climb to head coach. It's possible he may stay if his dad leaves.

He's also starting a family. I can see the pull to stay in one place with grandparent and great grandparent help rather than moving around the country. He's also watched his dad move a bunch. May prioritize family stability over increased job autonomy/responsibility. It'll be interesting to see.

I'd give anything to work for either of my brothers as we have great relationships, but we're in different fields. So we live in different cities/states and see each other at the holidays.

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m_go_T

January 10th, 2024 at 1:39 PM ^

I could see him getting a MAC or Conference USA type job and killing it.  EMU would be cool if Crieghton ever moves on.

Overall though, i think he will be an amazing college coach when its all said and done.  He's only 34--which is kind of the start of when elite coaches get hired.  My guess is he gets his first shot after next season if Harbaugh stays and maybe even this season if Harbaugh leaves and the coaching carousel gets crazy.

Joined: 11/04/2010

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bOttOmfeeder

January 10th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^

This means that his brother in law, Tom Crean, has to sit at the kids table alone.  

Even Izzo felt bad for Tom and gave him a ring for the 2000 Title with MSU, even though he left for Marquette in 1999.   Maybe they were glad he left?

Joined: 07/09/2015

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Mattinboots

January 10th, 2024 at 12:15 PM ^

The "big person table" comment by Jim caught by surprise.  I didn't realize how much it bothered him to not have title of some kind and I thought, at 60 and with all his successes, a title is a "great to have" but not a "must have."  But I don't have anywhere near the competitive drive that he and his family clearly have, which is probably a big reason I didn't expect the comment.

Joined: 11/21/2008

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UMinSF

January 10th, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^

I think the main reason he’s had an NFL coaching itch is how much that SB loss to his brother gnaws at him.

Even just as fans, I think this championship is satisfying in part because we’ve come so close but fallen short so many times (including hoops). 
 

 

Joined: 04/06/2009

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Booted Blue in PA

January 10th, 2024 at 1:48 PM ^

This may actually be the case.....   He has said so many times in the past year or two that  he's reached a point in his life where the accolades are really aren't for him any more, but more for his family, the players, their families.    

The arguement can be made that winning a NCAA championship is more difficult than a Super Bowl... So making it to the big person's table, with the more difficult championship, might be enough.   I doubt John will ever win a NCAA National Championship.

Jim has said in the past, he's going to listen to offers.  He also said he would like to be at Michigan as long as Michigan wants him.   I take him for his word.    That being said, if an NFL team comes at him with an offer he can't refuse, who would expect him to refuse it?    If the perfect offer doesn't happen, he will remain where he is.

 

That's how I see it.

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Der Alte

January 10th, 2024 at 12:21 PM ^

No, Jay does not sit at the Harbaugh's Big Person's table --- not yet, anyway. Only those who've head-coached a championship season sit there. Jay may gain a seat someday, but not yet. 

Anyway, the big question is whether Jay's dad's quest for big-seat status is over, or whether dad will seek an additional seat as head coach of a Super Bowl Champion. Like many of his Michigan players at the end of this season, Jim is obviously asking himself, "what more can I accomplish at this level?" Nick Saban is apparently content with numerous CFC rings, but he failed miserably at the pro level; he has no desire to return. Jim on the other hand took a team to the Super Bowl; he's shown he can get a team to that level, but just hasn't yet secured the Big Enchilada.

With all the pro coaching vacancies opening up now, the temptation might be greater than ever to take the leap. And who could blame Jim if he does? Go Blue.

Joined: 07/30/2010

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mGrowOld

January 10th, 2024 at 12:37 PM ^

Well said and I agree.

FWIW I'm a Cavs fan and I feel exactly the same way about Lebron leaving (the 2nd time, not the first) as I do with a potential Harbaugh departure from Michigan.  Hope he stays, think he'll leave and he's 100% earned the right to do whatever he thinks will make him and his family the happiest.

Jim, like Lebron, delivered the goods as promised.  Mission accomplished.

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yossarians tree

January 10th, 2024 at 12:50 PM ^

The reasons for Jim to head back to the NFL are numerous and obvious.

However, I think the biggest factor for him staying is being overlooked: his family. He lives next door to his parents and his kids' grandparents. Jack and Jackie aren't getting any younger, though they do look to be in remarkable shape. It must be so satisfying to have that family closeness 24/7. His younger kids are all still in school and entrenched in the community, have friends, etc. It would be tough to uproot them. JH is such a family man, I know that all of this has got to weigh heavy on him, easily as much as his competitive fire seeks a new challenge.

I would be more surprised if he stays, at this point, but not entirely.

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Brodie

January 10th, 2024 at 12:58 PM ^

when does his daughter graduate? iirc there's a pretty huge age gap between her and the next set of kids 

Jim and Sarah maintain a beach house in California and I'm sure Jack and Jackie would enjoy some time in the sun rather than Michigan winters. Nothing stopping the parents from coming with, they had lived close to the Creans before this 

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Parkinen

January 10th, 2024 at 1:00 PM ^

I wouldn't blame him in the least and would be mildly and pleasantly surprised if he stayed.   I am concerned, however, how is shitck holds up in the NFL.  As the recent WSJ article pointed out, the guy is a bit of a throw back and of course there were reports that he was becoming somewhat tiresome in SF before he left.  I think we all acknowledge, that he is a bit of an acquired taste.  In any event, I think his goofy persona plays very well with a bunch of 18-22 year olds.  Hopefully, he is self-reflective enough to recognize this.   

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Golden section

January 10th, 2024 at 1:42 PM ^

Jim said himself he can grate on people. His demeanor and shtick  is just more suited to the college game.

He can say with legitimacy to college kids, sacrifices who you are today for who you want to be tomorrow.

If you listen to Kris Jenkins after the game, the relief and glory. 'This is why we made all those sacrifices, at the weight room at 6 am. This is why we did things when our bodies were screaming not to but we do it anyway.'    

A 30 year old man with a wife and 2 kids, has no where to go -no next level.

Jim's sophomoric disposition is just better suited to the college game. 

He will forever be canonized by the Wolverine Nation. He will never get that adulation at the NFL level. 

He's great for college football. but the NCAA is way too myopic to see it. Rival teams don't see it.

The NCAA is a rudderless ship that doesn't know where it is going. It only knows it doesn't want to go where Jim Harbaugh wants to take it.  Which is so sad because he just won a national championship with two 5 stars and the 14th ranked class in the nation. And he did it by offering sacrifice, challenge and brotherhood. All qualities that make for better men.

Yet the NCAA wants to draw and quarter him.

He'll be fine in Washington or LA but he'll be a Schembechleresque legend if he stays at Michigan. 

 

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SalvatoreQuattro

January 10th, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^

Whatever he decides it needs to be relatively soon for the program’s sake.

If he leaves I absolutely do not trust Warde to make a good choice. The Pearson and Howard hires have been bad. As we have seen the  Michigan connection requirement is more likely to bust than boom.(Hoke, Pearson, Howard)

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michgoblue

January 10th, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^

Did anyone see any footage of Harbaugh with Jay after the game?  The interactions with John, mom and dad were so awesome - curious if there was anything similar with Jay. As a father, I can’t imagine anything that would mean more to me than to win a NC with my son at my side. 

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mgobaran

January 10th, 2024 at 2:03 PM ^

I didn't see one. I don't remember him naming Jay when talking about his kids being there to celebrate it either. 

I can’t imagine anything that would mean more to me than to win a NC with my son at my side.

And THIS! My boys are young, but I almost fell apart watching my 9-month-old stand for 5 seconds without holding onto anything the other day! That hug had to have been huge! And I'm shocked no reporters brought it up.  

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OldSchoolWolverine

January 10th, 2024 at 1:41 PM ^

I think he might be the better head coach than Moore.  We won't know if he'd have beaten PSU and OSU but the game was scripted somewhat and the team would win with any of the.coaches. 

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The FannMan

January 10th, 2024 at 1:49 PM ^

So, I think Jim was joking or speaking metaphorically about the grown ups table.  However, I am sure that they don’t, in fact, have a separate table at the Harbaugh residence that is strictly reserved for those who have won a championship as a head coach.  

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