Jay Harbaugh Appreciation Thread
In light of Jay Harbaugh winning the award for special teams coordinator of the year, I wanted to just take a moment to appreciate what he has done for the program.
When I searched Jay on this website, the first link that came up was a 2019 thread asking when it's OK to start questioning his hire. Since then, it has become clear that Jim hired his son because he's good at coaching. They keep plugging him into different spots, and he keeps delivering solid results. He also seems to have a good head on him based on his social media presence.
It's always fair to question when a head coach gives their son a big role on their staff, but Jay has more than proven himself and I suspect we'll start having to worry about his getting poached if this keeps up.
With that in mind, I'm raising a glass for our TE / Special Teams coordinator who seems ready and willing to carry on his family's coaching tradition. Cheers to you Jay!
January 5th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
I am someone who was not a fan, became indifferent, then lukewarm and now am a believer. I can now acknowledge that my initial thoughts would have moved faster if his last name was Smith or Jones or something else.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
I am copying and pasting this from the other Jaybaugh thread where a poster was claiming he was a bad position coach. I considered writing up a diary because it is hard to believe this is even a debate.
- He coached a 2 time 1st Team All-B1G, 2 time All American, Mackey award winner at TE named Jake Butt.
- He coached an excellent TE group this year including a very underrated Erik All.
- He coached Karan Higdon to back to back season of over 1,000 total yards, 3rd team(2017) All-Big Ten offensive first-team (2018). That was our first thousand yard rusher in a long time.
- The two years Higdon was the starter our backups where Chris Evans, Ty Isaac, and Tru Wilson. They averaged nearly 1200 yards for a near 6 yard averaged and totaled 15 TDs. Chris Evans was also selected for B1G honors, and was drafted.
- Zack Charbonnet broke the freshman rushing TD record.
- Hassan Haskins was a 2 Start recruit. Jaybaugh discovered and developed him. Out of Haskins three seasons as a major contributor THIS WAS HIS LOWEST YPC.
He has been here 7 years and every unit and position he coaches excels. That is not a coincidence that is coaching. He is also an elite recruiter and special teams coordinator. It is great to be a Michigan Wolverine.
January 5th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
Mentioned this in another thread, but he is a future head coach (maybe at Michigan). His career trajectory is almost identical to his Uncle John's. John was a TE coach, then RB coach, then ST coordinator (college then NFL). John spent one year as a DB coach before being hired by the Ravens to be their head coach. My guess is that Jay will have a very similar trajectory. I could see him being a hired as a head coach in the next few years.
Side note, coach MacDonald credits Jay as getting him his first gig with the Ravens. So clearly Jay has an eye for coaching talent as well and should get some of the credit for Jim hiring Mac.
January 5th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
At some point he will go off and forge his own path. We will miss him when he's gone.
Congratulations to Jay on the award and all his accomplishments.
He's been a stand up man and coach.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:18 AM ^
Our RBs were not explosive at all under JayBaugh
January 5th, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
One thread is never enough.
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/jay-harbaugh-named-one-four-special-teams-coordinator-year
January 5th, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
This is why I searched for his name first! Apparently I just had to scroll down. *face palm*
On the other hand, I feel like an extra "toast" thread is OK in this case. Dude goes under the radar more than a high-level assistant should.
January 5th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
It's only questioned when Harbaugh hires his son. But when Kirk Ferentz hires his son nobody bats and eye. When Pete Carrol hired his son, nothing, when Mike Shanahan hires his son, he's a genius.
There is really a Harbaugh double standard in the sports media.
January 5th, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^
Here, here!
Anyone working for his father will always have to disprove nepotism.
Jay has gone above and beyond. I'm so happy for him to have received that award because it is a measure of vindication for all the naysayers.
Well done Jay! No need to go anywhere. You can continue the legacy of your family's excellence in coaching right here.
Go Blue!
January 5th, 2022 at 11:44 AM ^
The guy has done a great job. Glad he is part of the staff and hopes he stays around.
He's in an interesting position-his success, background, and breadth of experience makes him a strong candidate for a HC position at a small school. I wonder if he will follow Jim or John's path to a big time HC postion somewhere.
January 5th, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
This is NOT a knock on Jay Harbaugh at all, but coaching is notoriously nepotistic. With the last name Harbaugh and awards like this, he is all but assured future big coaching opportunities.
January 30th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
That's true, despite the fact that he was a horrific RB coach.
January 30th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
My prediction is that he's like Belichick's kid and just follows daddy.
January 5th, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
I love his press availabilities. Always insightful. Sometimes funny too. Like when he was asked this year about the possibility of a trick play with one of the specialists throwing a pass, and said something along the lines of, "They all think they can pass. They're crazy."
January 5th, 2022 at 1:06 PM ^
Our special teams were consistently excellent this year. Obviously a lot of that credit has to go to Jake Moody for just being individually awesome, but all phases of special teams were prepared and well coached.
January 5th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
I appreciate Jay Harbaugh. (DId I do that right? Hope so, b/c I do appreciate his work.)
January 30th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
Thank god they moved him to special teams.