Harbaugh a semi-finalist for Maxwell Club COTY

Submitted by mgobluth on

Presented by the Maxwell Club - Link to full story here
 

2015 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Semi-Finalists

Mark Dantonio - Michigan State University
Larry Fedora - University of North Carolina
Kirk Ferentz - University of Iowa
Pat Fitzgerald - Northwestern University
Mike Gundy - Oklahoma State University
Jim Harbaugh - University of Michigan
Tom Herman - University of Houston
Brian Kelly - Notre Dame
Mike Leach - Washington State University
Jim McElwain - University of Florida
Urban Meyer - Ohio State University
Ken Niumatalolo - U.S. Naval Academy
Matt Rhule - Temple University
Nick Saban - University of Alabama
David Shaw - Stanford University
Bob Stoops - University of Oklahoma
Dabo Swinney - Clemson University
Kyle Whittingham - University of Utah

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Football

Btown Wolverine

November 20th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^

Honestly, I think from that list I'd give it to Matt Rhule. Harbaugh has exceeded expectations in his first year, that's for darn certain. But look at what Rhule has done in his three years at Temple:

2013: 2-10

2014: 6-6

2015: 8-2 (so far)

That improvement should be recognized, I think. Next year, if Michigan is a serious playoff contender, I'd give it to Harbaugh.

Joined: 08/23/2013

MGoPoints: 1536

PopeLando

November 20th, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^

To be (sarcastically) fair, MSU's number of personal fouls hasn't appeared to have been an intended, coached part of their strategy this year. Or. They've gotten a lot better at hiding them. That kind of improvement can't be ignored!

Joined: 08/01/2015

MGoPoints: 68295

LJ

November 20th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^

Yes.  The schedule is very bad.  But it's not like Temple has any natural/traditional advantages over those other traditional bottom feeders.  They have one conference title in program history.  Michigan, OTOH, has many natural advantages compared to the majority of of the B1G.

Again, not saying one coach has done a better job than the other, I'm just saying 8-2 at M is generally easier to attain than 8-2 at Temple. 

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

Stringer Bell

November 20th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

I agree, Rhule is a very good coach and will probably be handsomely compensated for his work this year.  I just think the 1 year turnaround Harbaugh has done is more impressive, even without the inherent advantages of coaching at Michigan.  Maybe the voters don't realize what a disaster Michigan football was last year (and really since Lloyd Carr left) on so many levels.

Joined: 11/06/2014

MGoPoints: 52911

Leaders And Best

November 20th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^

Iowa is not an easy place to win. Do you think Nebraska would trade places with Iowa right now? Minnesota? Illinois? You don't get rid of Ferentz unless you can get someone better, and I am not sure there is a better candidate out there right now. Iowa's football history before Hayden Fry was pretty bleak for a long time, and that program, like many in that region of the country, risks falling into irrelevancy with the wrong coach.

Joined: 09/09/2009

MGoPoints: 22312

Saint_in_Blue

November 20th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

I think if Michigan wins out (beats OSU and Iowa in B1G champ game) he wins it. Though a lot will depend on McElwain as well. If the Gators somehow win the SEC as well. It will be a very close call.

Joined: 10/17/2011

MGoPoints: 16993

Mr. Yost

November 20th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

I mean what's he's done with that talent is amazing. You have to remember, the SEC West is stronger than the AFC South. What Saban has done with his team in that conference, with all those NFL egos his roster...simply outstanding. Nothing but 5*'s who he gets to buy into his system and then 1st round draft picks who he keeps focused - the job he's done in Tuscaloosa is tremendous. He's one of the most underrated and overlooked coaches in the country. Give it to Nick Saban. His 9-1 Bama team is shocking the world this year - no one picked them. They never have anyone's respect. They just play tough, gritty, hardnosed football. Saturday's battle versus the Bucs of Charleston Southern is no different.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

LSAClassOf2000

November 20th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^

You know, the funniest part of this is that this mistake was made by WLNS in Lansing, of all places. You would think that if there were ever a media market where some care would be taken to avoid #disrespekt, the Lansing media market would be it. Apparently, no one will ever get it completely right, and that's just fine if you ask me. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130627

SoDak Blues

November 20th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^

Harbaugh has truly turned around the program in a shorter period than what most expected. He has brought Michigan out of the dark ages. This may be a VERY biased opinion, but he should absolutely win. 

Joined: 09/24/2015

MGoPoints: 17693

charblue.

November 20th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^

and brass at University of Houston are concerned about losing Tom Herman to a bigger program this offseason, so have pushed for and gotten OK to give him a $3 million raise from his $1.3 million salrary. The Cougars are 10-0 this season.

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11400