Harbaugh-Beilein Parallels

Submitted by 502sezGoBlue on January 24th, 2024 at 10:14 PM

Reacting to the Harbaugh to the league news got me thinking about the last time we lost a legend to the pros. 

After his 12th season, and with the program at its peak, Beilein gave into the NBA pull and said goodbye to Ann Arbor. What a run from near the program’s bottom to as close to the top as you can get.

  • .650 win %
  • 2 trips to the national title game
  • 2 Big Ten titles
  • 2 Big Ten tournament titles
  • 5 Sweet 16s
  • 3 Elite 8s
  • 2 Final Fours

As has been widely reported, Harbaugh said goodbye to a program at similar peak after 9 seasons. He took us from the lowest of lows to the absolute top of the country. 

  • .775 win %
  • 3 straight Big Ten titles 
  • Back to back perfect regular seasons
  • 3 straight CFP berths
  • Rose Bowl win
  • 15-0, 2023 CFP Champs

Here’s to hoping we can do a lot more with the state in which Jim left the program than where things stand with John’s program…

If our coaching legends must leave Michigan, at least it’s for the pros as no other program matches Michigan when it’s at its top. 

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Perkis-Size Me

January 25th, 2024 at 6:31 AM ^

Honestly even if Burke had that block called clean, there's no guarantee Michigan would've won it anyway. Luke effing Hancock was on fire from the final minutes of the first half onward. The guy just couldn't freaking miss. 

Don't get me wrong, maybe Michigan could've won, as that was a huge moment that took all the wind out of Michigan's sails, but still no guarantee. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

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JMo

January 25th, 2024 at 12:12 AM ^

Knowing what you know about John Beilein and not having been in that locker room ...  do you believe that JB intentionally used racially incendiary language out of anger or spite? I tend to side with the idea that those Lebron-less Cavs thought they were much better than they were. And Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, Collin Sexton weren't going to be coached by "no college coach on how to play ball."

They were looking for a reason to revolt. And they didnt get one iota better once Beilein was out and JBB was in.

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tybert

January 24th, 2024 at 10:23 PM ^

JB left before getting us the ring. JH left while getting us a ring. JB had no NBA knowledge and flamed out badly. JH may (I'm not counting on it, but may) win a Lombardi for SD/LA

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RobM_24

January 24th, 2024 at 10:32 PM ^

The biggest takeaway I have from Beilein/Harbaugh is that college coaching is extremely stressful -- and Michigan goes out of its way to make it even more stressful. Imaginary "standards" that are imposed for no apparent.

Kids are getting Lamborghini leases at other schools, and we're shooting down transfers from Power 5 schools (even Big Ten schools). It has to feel like having a hand tied behind your back when you coach here. 

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Midukman

January 25th, 2024 at 8:23 AM ^

My son (juco pitcher) had interest from Michigan. Then just like that, Bakich was gone!  The one common denominator here is Warde sucks gigantic lice infested hog balls. While I don’t COMPLETELY blame Warde for JH leaving. He needs to be shown the door. If my track record at work was half as bad I’d have been fired long ago. 

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Solecismic

January 24th, 2024 at 10:57 PM ^

The NFL is a lot more coach-dependent than the NBA. I think he'll be fine if he can ensure the fallout from the Chargers being maxed out on their credit cards.

This is definitely a franchise that spent big for 2023 and it didn't happen. Lots of cap bombs, not much of a base other than the quarterback. If he and Herbert don't mesh, this could be a short ride.

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SD Larry

January 24th, 2024 at 11:11 PM ^

Dunno 502 sez.   Appreciate and upvote your post and  sentiment.  Harbaugh was Michigan football for me, both as a player and especially as The Coach.  While I Loved Coach B.  this feels like a bigger loss and change personally, even though very thankful Coach Harbaugh guided Michigan to some wonderful seasons and a truly wonderful National Championship.  

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M-Dog

January 24th, 2024 at 11:31 PM ^

I don't think that Harbaugh will flame out in the NFL, but he's never going to win a Super Bowl there with the Chargers.  It is not a match made in heaven.

If for some reason Sherrone does not work out after several years, it would not surprise me if the top candidate to replace him is . . . Jim Harbaugh.

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RibbleMcDibble

January 25th, 2024 at 8:31 AM ^

San Francisco had a much better roster than the Chargers do now. 

Right now, the main thing LA has going for it is Justin Herbert. But around him there has been tons of roster mismanagement. I also think the AFC is going to be difficult to win. Buffalo can attest to that over the last 5 years despite having a great QB. 

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MMB 82

January 24th, 2024 at 11:50 PM ^

For me it was a simple matter of wanting Harbaugh to keep creating the magic that is Michigan football and hoping to see that this was the beginning of a dynastic run, and now being disappointed that this may not happen. If (likely) Sherrone can keep it going, he would truly be coach of the year...

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greymarch

January 25th, 2024 at 1:49 AM ^

There's no parallels between Beilein and Harbaugh...

 

Beilein got sick of putting up with the NCAA bullshit rules.

 

Harbaugh left because his ultimate goal in life is to win a SB, which there is no way in god's green earth he will win with the Chargers.

 

Apples to oranges.  What a wasted OP.

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dickdastardly

January 25th, 2024 at 7:39 AM ^

Someone might have brought this up, but people need to remember that Jim wanted any new contract with Michigan to start on Feb 15th. If you don't understand that part of it, it means that Jim was ALWAYS going to pursue the NFL regardless if Michigan bent over backwards and protected him from murder in the contract. Those lambasting Warde need to take a step back because there was nothing he or the University could to do to make Jim drop his dalliance with the NFL. Jim made sure of that with his Feb 15th demand.*

 

 

*assuming that info is correct.

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Booted Blue in PA

January 25th, 2024 at 9:00 AM ^

There's a 'fire warde' movement because he didn't get Jim to sign a new contract.   I'm saying if they took care of the contract after he came back from Minnesota two years ago, or after he didn't go to Denver last year.... the new contract would most likely have been signed.

If the thinking is, he was going to the NFL at some point regardless of what his contract with Michigan said, then how is Warde (or anyone else) to blame???

 

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MichiganFootball

January 25th, 2024 at 10:34 AM ^

I think the difference is that Harbaugh is obviously well suited to the NFL and has already had success there.  He's not going to flame out in half a season.  

Whereas someone like Beilein was always much more suited to the college game.

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