AA2Denver

September 9th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^

This is great, but it seems like Harbaugh's approach to many things shouldn't be a surprise to the players. They should have been viewing film with this level of accountability for their entire careers to this point. 

Reader71

September 9th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^

Yes and no.

It makes a ton of sense specifically for promoting accountability.

But you are limited to the amount of time you can spend in meetings, and it is quite likely that the whole team film session took a few minutes away from Drevno specifically teaching his OL how to correct their many mistakes in that game.

What does Kalis get out of watching Harbaugh chew out Perry for a bad route? Perry theoretically benefits by having more motivation to improve. The team as a whole benefits from the accountability atmosphere. But it takes a mental rep away from Kalis, which hurts the team.

It's just a cost/benefit thing. At this moment, Harbaugh thinks it is important enough to justify less individual coaching. We hope it works. I think it will. But other options also make sense.

Stuck in Ohio

September 9th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^

Hopefully this coaching staff will instill a little fear in these guys. My brother always talks about how afraid they were to lose back in the Bo era, because they knew they were going to get the shit kicked out of them in practice. I've always felt that the coaches that came and went after Bo's time didn't seem to create an attitude from the coaches that there "will be consequences" if they lose. I just always remember seeing the coaches show on Sunday after Bo lost a game. You could tell he was just in a pissy mood and that it carried over to practice.

LSAClassOf2000

September 9th, 2015 at 11:49 AM ^

"That's one of the things about being coachable: Handling criticism. ... They're honest with us, and they hold us all accountable."

This is an important point, I think - you run into people in life, not just in football, that are quite uncoachable because they do not accept or cannot handle criticism or feedback if it is not absolutely glowing. Those people generally are folks who, at best, are adequate, but will probably never excel, and in the case of these film sessions, I have to think the staff is monitoring reactions the entire time they are doing this as well, as they should. 

This is not a uniquely Harbaugh thing, but it teaches some interesting lessons that are widely applicable in life. 

MGoStrength

September 9th, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^

As a high school teacher and strength coach I can tell you firsthand that in my experience today's kids are not accustomed to being held accountable for their actions, are used to parents and teachers making excuses for them or simply doing things for them (ie helicopter parents), are not used to criticism, don't deal well with failure because few teachers let students fail, and are generally less resilient. 

 

In public school education today, most of which these students come through, the stakes for graduation rates, and other forms of data are high for both teachers and administrators.  With the age of technology information travels fast which makes it easy to compare one place to another and to track data.  This means that everyone is accountable and there is less individual variation in how things are done.  This makes it hard for teachers to actually do what they believe is best as they get pressure from parents and administrators.  Everyone has to pass, meet national or state standards, etc.  Beacuse of this students are rarely allowed the opportunity to actually fail, learn from that failure, become more resilient, and grow and learn some of life's lessons.  Instead, they are pushed through the system often with parents or teachers either dumbing it down, giving them unlimited opportunities to complete things, or even doing it for them.  This means less failure, less ability to handle criticism, and less resiliency.  I think this is simply something that has been gradually changing for the past few generations, but has done so much more rapidly in the age of information.

Wendyk5

September 9th, 2015 at 5:15 PM ^

Being a parent in this helicopter age is no picnic, either. You have a baby and then like five minutes later, you hear all these stories about how you have to get on the waiting list of a good Pre-K. And it just goes from there. You get sucked into the vortex of achievement; if you don't get on the treadmill, your child will fail in life. My parents were so hands off, it's a miracle they knew where I went to college. So here I am, a product of that generation, questioning everything I experienced and like a lemming, I followed all the crazy parents for while. Finally, I realized (really this year) that my kids are who they are. Not everyone goes to Michigan. Not everyone gets a 3.8 unweighted, is captain of the debate team, plays varsity hockey and is in band. I totally agree with you, by the way, and it's really terrible for the kids. That's the tough part. The kids really suffer because of it. 

Rabbit21

September 9th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^

This is nice and everything, but I remember this sort of thing happening when I played High School ball, getting brutally called out every time you make a mistake is a coaching staple(that can backfire if you're toward the end of these season, have been winning more than losing and yet no compliments ever come out of the film session) and I can't imagine it changes when you get to college.  Hard to shake the feeling this is yet another standard, "There's a new regime in town" fluff piece.

markusr2007

September 9th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^

Taking accountability for your actions (especially failures) sends a powerful message to your peers, mentors, teachers and family about your individual character. Accepting accountability is what builds individual character and integrity.  Refusing to accept accountability does the opposite, and makes everyone feel insecure, frustrated and resentful.

This is where a lot of people on an individual level at work and in relationships with other people f'ing crash a burn all the time because they opt for CYA and don't realize how evading accountability leads directly to a breakdown of trust.

This applies in organized sports, at work/career and with personal relationships, etc.

Further, accountability is very closely linked to ethics.  Whenever people are not held accountable (e.g. corrupt politicians, etc.), this usually comes with a heaping side order of unethical behavior, poor performance and negative consequences.

I don't know what happened in the film room the over last dozen years (Carr, Rodriguez, Hoke), but Harbaugh and staff appear to be doing the right things to correct mistakes.

Rabbit21

September 9th, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^

Given how that particular storyline ended, I am not entirely sure using that image from Full Metal Jacket is the best choice, but your broader point is a good one.  I am just unsure if this is really a change from what the previous staff did.  Obviously something is different, but calling players out in film sessions is just what coaches do.

CoverZero

September 9th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^

My old acting coach and friend Tim Colceri played the doorgunner in this movie.  "Get Some!".  He was originally cast as the Drill Sgt. but the role was stolen away by Lee Ermey who had been hired as an advisor but manipulated Kubrick to get the role.  He was probably better for the role than Tim was...Tims good but Ermey killed it.

Boner Stabone

September 9th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^

I'm sure the players are confused, because last year they had Brandon telling them what they have to do during film sessions and now they have this Harbaugh fellow telling them something different.

MGoStrength

September 9th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^

I get the impression that the previous staff was too easy on guys.  Tony Robbins always says the two strongest motivators for behavior is to avoid pain and seek pleasure.  Punishment and reward are both strong motivators, but avoiding pain goes with survival and is stronger than seeking pleasure.  I think this is a great move.  I'd bet the staff will only stick with a player so long if he continuallly makes mistakes, unless of course the guy behind makes more.  I think guys like Braden, Kalis, and Smith have some improvement to do from last game.

Avon Barksdale

September 9th, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^

I feel like this is a normal thing... We got called out in middle school film session back in the day. Are telling me that the Michigan Wolverines, one of the most successful college football programs in history, did not have critical film sessions under Brady Hoke?

Albatross

September 9th, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^

Lack of accountability seemed to be a culture under Hoke that filtered its way to the fan base. As was evidence when messages were posted questioning Funchess effort (which was clear to see for anyone paying even remote attention to it). It seemed way too many people wanted to shoot the messager then accept that there were players that were dogging it with no reprecussions from the staff. I have a feeling Funchess wouldn't have seen the field with Jimmy (and rightfully so) if he was out there standing around instead of blocking his guy, giving up on routes, dropping too many balls that hit him in the hands, and doing nothing to help his QB when he was in trouble.

Those who defend that type of effort should be happy with a 5-7 season cause that is what that effort will get you. And that is percisely why Jimmy would not tolerate it.

 

bluewoody

September 9th, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^

I'm sure my fellow mgolawyers can attest that getting called out in front of your of peers always kept you prepared. In terms of any classes, where the professor blindly called on students, I studied or prepared for that class a lot harder than others. I didn't want to get embarrassed in front of my classmates. This method works. Hail Professor Harbaugh

amaizenblue402

September 9th, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^

I expect them to come out well prepared for Oregon State.  This accountability, like others have said, should be a normal thing.  You're not going to get better if you aren't held accountable for what you messed up on.  This is a good way for the entire offense and defense to all be on the same page.  It's constructive criticism and the players are here to be coached and to get better every single day.  No better way than to be accountable and work on and fix the mistakes that you made.

JFW

September 9th, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^

but for various reasons (I'm not bashing either of the first two coaches). 

 

One thing to keep in mind is that the team's progress should be, I think, real... but sporadic...

 

I.E. we might look great this weekend and just a bit better this week when we play BYU. 

 

I think if we can honestly stop the bloody turnovers and stupid mistakes we have a real chance against most teams on this schedule.