Harbaugh Hype Overblown
The rush to annoint JH as the next big thing in the NFL is symptomatic of our media driven culture. The guy is a perfect fit here at Michigan and has done wonders at Stanford, but the skill set for an NFL coach is much different than for a college coach. One of Harbaugh's most valuable qualites is his ability to find and mold raw talent, and this would be wasted at the next level. He is obviously a master at motivating young men but would this transfer to the task of massaging massive NFL egos?
The history of the NFL is littered with great college coaches who's talents did not transfer well (Spurrier, Saban, etc....) so what makes people think that JH - after one great season in Division I - can not only make the jump to light speed, but deserves more money than anyone else in the busines? It all makes no sense.
Here's hoping that this media circus is part of a complex negotiating dance in which JH is using this overblown leverage to get exactly what he wants from Brandon - in money, control and contract flexibility.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
He did great in college but he's a complete unknown at the pro level. Actually, to be honest, only his last couple years at college were that good, the two before that were so-so. Still, I think we should qive him several million dollars and hope for the best.
Q. Am I talking about:
1. Jim Harbaugh
-or-
2. Every player taken in the first two rounds of the NFL draft every year
January 6th, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^
Good point
January 6th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^
True. But when drafting players, there is no other option. When searching for a coach, there are plently of less speculative options.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
I'm hearing HARBAUGH to Dolphins 8Mil/year! A friend of a conversant friend. For what it's worth! Not sure how solid it is but that is the word...We all know how that goes though!
January 6th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
I'm sure your friend was in on the negotiations, so that source has to be rock solid.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
Oops
January 6th, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
I won't believe anything until it is final. I don't even think their coach has been officially let go has he?
January 6th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
now I'm hearing Rooney Rule stuff in Miami. Maybe this is BS like everything else everyone reports.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
In 2004. It cost them a whopping$200,000
January 6th, 2011 at 5:51 PM ^
that had VT stomped Stanford, he would be our coach today.
Also, had we made a firm offer to him right after the OS game, he would be our coach. Dithering has consequences.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
Talking out your Rosenberg. You don't know any of that.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
the first three years at Stanford is almost the same as RR's first three at UM. The only difference is JH got a fourth year and has a first round QB leading the team and a solid defense loaded with experience.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
From your keyboard to Harbaugh's eyes.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
I don't know why, but I find it funny that he wears a whistle for the games.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
Nice eye haha...I am actually a big fan of that as a former lifeguard. A whistle can be empowering, like Excalibur.
What happened to your points?
January 7th, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^
It makes me like him even more. He probably carries his own yellow flags in his pockets too.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
be right. For the mental health of myself and hundreds of thousands of Michigan fan. Please.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^
are getting as bad as Tiger and his bimbos
January 6th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
I'm going to have to disagree until I see proof that the 49's have mounds of pancakes and syrup in their offer.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^
...But I still don't feel good. It's a shame JH is apparently looking to move to the NFL because he would do wonders for M recruiting and brand building with his cache right now.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
Cache of what? Is he a squirrel? Or did you mean cachet?
January 6th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
his brother.
Though it isn't truly logical, his brother's NFL success implies that he too will be successful. Or at least not a huge disaster.
Its the same line of thought that made Eli Manning the #1 overall draft pick instead of a mid-late first rounder.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
His brother stepped into a situation where he has a Ravens defense that is basically good enough to keep them in every game every week and an offense that does just enough, mainly by running the football effectively. In the 49ers or Dolphins situations, Jim would be inheriting teams that suck.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^
...if Harbaugh takes the 49er job he'll be fired in 3 years. That franchise just can not win with that ownership group. The Dolphins do have talent and should have done better this year than they did so he could conceivably make that work.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
Harbaugh would be a good get but there were other coaches on Brian's list that were appealing. At least Brandon said he would be willing to put up a lot of money to bring in a quality coach.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
The thing is, it's very, very difficult to actually land a great coach. Harbaugh was one for which we actually had (have?) a chance.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^
Which means to me that the next coach is not going to be Brady Hoke. He DOES NOT deserve even RR kind of money ($2.5 million annually) let alone the kind of money that DB is talking about to bring Michigan in line with the other programs. If Hoke is eventually the bad choice that DB makes, then what becomes of his "bring Michigan in line statement?"
This fiasco continues unabated......
January 6th, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
How can you call something a fiasco without even knowing the final outcome, or having any real inside information?
I don't understand people like you. If I hadn't seen some of your previous posts, I'd think you are a troll.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
Thanks for not calling me a troll because I am not - just a very disgruntled fan and alum. I wouldn't exactly characterize this search for a coach as a methodical and well laid out plan. Appearances say a lot and the impression I get is of a program in chaos.
And you are right nobody but Brandon has "inside' information but I have been extremely disappointed in with the way this process has played out. I hope he does pull the proverbial "rabbit out of the hat" and makes everybody, me included, look foolish, but my confidence level is low.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
but I do think he is beside the point right now. Andrew Luck apparently coming back puts the pecking order at 1. Stanford, 2. One of several NFL jobs, 3. Michigan/UConn, 4. UConn/Michigan. I think it is best to focus on the candidates who have not chuckled at the very idea of accepting the job at this point.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^
Why would you even mention UConn on that list?
January 6th, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^
his interest in Michigan and UConn appear to be about the same........ 5. Pitt
January 6th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
Where the hell are you getting that from? Both Uconn and Pitt would be a major step down from where he is currently.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
that he is interested in UConn or Pitt, all that I am saying is that his interest in the UConn and Pitt job(s) equals that of his interest in the Michigan job, that is to say........eh.
January 6th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
6. Toledo
January 6th, 2011 at 4:02 PM ^
someone gets me. It may have not been funny or at all clever, but I thought that it was clearly sarcasm.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^
If JH wants to "come home" then Toledo makes the most sense as he was born in Toledo. Go Rockets!!!
Should their coach be concerned?
January 6th, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
Where did you hear anything about UConn? I slept in late today, so maybe I missed something. And even if I did, why would he ever consider the UConn job in the same thought as the Michigan job?
January 6th, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^
Really?
January 6th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
I will be named the next head coach at Michigan, before Harbaugh coaches at UConn
January 6th, 2011 at 4:02 PM ^
I just read on the internet that one of the people under consideration for the Michigan job is macgoblue10.
I agree this UConn stuff is totally offbase.
January 7th, 2011 at 7:52 AM ^
Congrats...you win the internet for dumbest comment of the day.
Seriously—are you really so stupid as to honestly think that Jim Harbaugh is considering UConn? Or is your meth just really, really good?
January 7th, 2011 at 7:58 AM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
Agreed. He may succeed in Miami. He may not. But, assuming he does indeed go to Miami, it's disappointing to see that, in the end, it wasn't about loyalty to his current school or home. It wasn't about keeping his family settled. It wasn't about concerns re rebuilding challenges. It was just about who gave him the fattest deal. Nothing wrong with his choice. It's business. But it is a little disappointing, given all the spin we've been hearing. The NFL ain't your alma mater. He'll regret it.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
This is why some/many of us have been saying that the whole "Michigan Man" bullshit needs to die a painful death in a kiln-hot fire. Anyone who supported booting the current head coach whose first full recruiting class just finished their sophomore years on the vague hopes that a guy who hasn't been connected to Michigan in 25 years except to insult its academic standards really ought to reconsider his or her approach to reality.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
So, so very true. You know...for however many supposed Michigan Men were/are considered for the head coach position at Michigan, why is it only the non-Michigan man that wanted and CHOSE to be here when he had the opportunity? Why is it like pulling teeth trying to get these supposed maize-and-blue-blooded men to come coach here but when some outsider turns down numerous D1 opportunities at big schools and his own alma mater to come coach at Michigan because he believes that we are truly special, we call him an outsider? If that's not ass backwards I don't know what is. If for not this reason alone, I wanted RR to do well here. We sound like Notre Dame, trumping our tradition but when it matters most we can't use it for anything substantial. Pathetic.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
...complete disorganization on the defensive side of the ball at the bowl game (after a month of **** practices) wasn't enough. Near complete ineptitude in 40% of the game (defense is around 40%, offense 35% and ST 25%) isn't enough, not to mention his conference record. I was on the Harbaugh bandwagon because logic dictated it would have worked (I did support Rodriquez but felt that was more of a serious gamble). And Harbaugh would have done it without the sleaze that Miles would bring to the party.
January 7th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^
Agreed. Bo never had ties to Michigam but over time he worked hard to build on the Michigan tradition. That is a Michigan Man. A man or woman who, by choice, works, over time, to add to the greatness of the University. Be it sports, alum, etc. building the Michigan community is a Michigan Man.
I respect Harbaugh's playing time. But given that we need a HC -NOW-, and now it's time for a Michigan Man to step in. I believe that Harbaugh's Michigan Man status ended when turned down DB.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
I don't think him going to the NFL has to mean it's all about the money. I do agree as a UM fan that it does feel like we have been spurned considering we could obviously use him right now, but for all we know his ultimate coaching dream involves the NFL not UM.