Rick Neuheisel on the Harbaugh decision

Submitted by swamyblue on

This evening on the west coast Rick Neuheisel gave his take on the Harbaugh decision. Here he is with Jim Hill from CBSLA Sports:

Rick: ...this is a tough tough question but if I were counseling Jim Harbaugh (and I’m not sure he wants my counsel) I would tell him you go take that Michigan job if the numbers are as reported, 49 million for 6yrs. You take that and you run! And know this, he played at Michigan, he personifies everything that Bo Schembechler and the Michigan Wolverines stand for in terms of physical play, toughness, aggressiveness. He would bring that back to the Wolverine program…it’s what they so sorely miss. I think that’s where he goes and look at it this way, if it doesn’t turn out well he hasn’t burned his card in the NFL. He can come back to the NFL and make it work at that time but 49 million for 6 yrs, it’s hard to say no to that.

Jim Hill (sports anchor): Yeah but sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Rick: Well that’s obvious but if you’re having to make a choice and it can’t be the 49ers, I think you go and put that Maize & Blue helmet on and you say let’s go down the tunnel and take those Buckeyes on again.

Jim: And smile all the way to the bank?

Rick: Exactly right…and he knows the fight song!

Boom!

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TheVictors

December 21st, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^

Yes he did and this is the biggest untruth being spread about Harbaugh. He turned down DB and Ross at the Orange Bowl before Stanford whomped VT. They'd low-balled him and we're turned down about 2hrs before kickoff. Then Michele Tafoya jammed a mic in his face right after the game, demanding to know if he'd take the M job.

Joined: 09/16/2009

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snarling wolverine

December 21st, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^

Several more times before he retires?  Not sure about that.  If we hire Les we'll probably be set for awhile, too, and he could groom a successor.

The job may never come open for Jim again.  He's got to strike while the iron is hot.

 

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aiglick

December 21st, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^

The Michigan job may not be the same if we fail again in the next four or five years. The fan support can only be expected to continue for a while when there is no bang for the buck. Call it fairweather if you want but for younger generations and new students at Michigan they may just not care if we continue to have a Purdue level program. There are tons of stuff to do besides attending football games and following the team. Also, as many point out on here it is illogical for us to be so fanatical about the team when we can't really impact its performance. Recent alumni and people below their mid 30s may also start to not care as much if we continue to perform so poorly since we really haven't seen the level of success seen in the 70s, 80s, and to a less effect the 90s. IMO it would not be fair to call anybody who has followed the program the last seven years to be fairweather since we have endured so much. I don't want to think what OSU fans would do if they endured a stretch such as ours (/s mostly). Anyway, hopefully this is all moot and either Harbaugh or Stoops (if he'd actually consider coming) comes to right the program. I'd almost rather have Stoops at $8 million a year because I think we'd be set for the next decade. We'd probably have some 8-4 seasons but I see that as the floor with him and I think we'd win a few BTCGs and contend for a few playoff spots. He won't run off like Harbaugh probably will in a couple of years if he decides to come and is just as successful, if not more so, at this level. All this said I will be very excited for the short term if Harbaugh decides to come back and he could be the shot in the arm our program desperately requires at this juncture.

Joined: 11/27/2010

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M-Dog

December 21st, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^

We went 40 years without a coaching search.  I would not just assume that having one every three years is going to keep happening.

There is only one Michigan "door" for JH, and it's open now.

There are at least a dozen NFL doors that could open up in the future that are ideal situations for JH, and none of them are open now.

The time is right to go to Michigan.

Joined: 07/06/2008

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Realus

December 21st, 2014 at 10:14 AM ^

Was he even approached about the UM job 4 years ago?  In retrospect, it appears that Carr's choice was Hoke and Brandon went along with it.  I don't Harbaugh was even seriously considered 4 years ago.

And 4 years from now, let's say the new HC (Mora, Stoops, Miles, Mullen, etc.) has UM winning 9 to 11 games a year in years 3 and 4.  UM has been OSU at least once and MSU at least twice.  Not unreasonable scenarios at all.  Would JH have a chance to come to UM at that point?  Especially if UM is on a upward trajectory (or even flat), how easy would it be for JH to come back to UM?

Maaaybe if he's won a Super Bowl by then, maaaybe.  But if we get a top 25 coach who is actually supported by the UM AD, I am not sure JH gets another chance, possibly ever.

Joined: 01/02/2010

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mgoblue0970

December 21st, 2014 at 9:31 PM ^

You're delusional.  The Lions have won exactly 1 playoff game in 57 years.  There isn't a more inept record in all of professional sports than the Kittens.  The best era in Lions history for the past two generations was the Wayne Fontes era.  'nuff said.

 

 

Joined: 11/22/2008

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xtramelanin

December 21st, 2014 at 9:02 AM ^

comes out of the corner with the puck one more time.  

and yes, he is without any possible qualification the greatest hockey player of all time.  period, end of story.

Joined: 12/09/2014

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The Wolf

December 21st, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^

Wayne Gretzky is almost without a doubt the best player at seeing the ice, reading the play and anticipating what would happen before it even began. However, it is categorically untrue to simply say he was the best player of all time, "period." I hope you pay attention to the things a player does without the puck, the way the game is affected when he is on the ice and the way in which a style of play completely changed the game.



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xtramelanin

December 21st, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^

skated with gordie a few times, played at michigan myself, so i might know at least something about hockey.  have met wayne a number of times when i lived out west.  great guy and unquestionably one of the finest hockey players of all time.  but as one poster said earlier in the thread, even gretzky says howe was the best and i completely agree. 

 

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micheal honcho

December 21st, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^

Wayne benefitted from expansion like nobody can imagine. His timing in terms of the expansion before true international expansion was perfect. Howe had the opposite. Great one was great no doubt but a 20-35 yr old Gordie would dominate the league Gretzky owned in the same way but with the addition of being physically much stronger.

Joined: 10/27/2010

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MinWhisky

December 21st, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^

...the opportunity to create a lasting legacy - the coach who restored UofM to its rightful place as an elite football program.  He can build on the traditional tenents of Bo Schembechler and add a few of his own (maybe actively suppporting the needs of players who want to major in something other than programs like Kinesiology).  Harbaugh is at the age where he is likely thinking, at least to some extent, about that aspect of his life - what does he leave behind?

Most of you young people on this board probably don't think along these lines, but I can guarantee you his father is at an age where he does.  His father's legacy will be, in large part, determined by the success of his two sons, not so much the success he personally had as a coach.  I would not be surprised if Jim's father has counseled him along these lines; you have an opportunity to rebuild UofM or to win a Superbowl; which is more important and long-lasting? 

 

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Carolina Wolverine

December 21st, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^

Harbaugh has the opportunity to put his name up there with Yost, Crisler, and Bo. He has the chance to run his team, his way, (within reason), without answering to management. He loves Michigan like we do and has to be bothered by what has happened to the program.

Joined: 12/02/2014

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ATC

December 21st, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^

rights the ship at Michigan and the NFL comes courting, every offer will be carte blanche control.... at the moment, nfl owners (like the yorks) think they understand football (from the coaching side) and are unable to egregiously stay the f away and allow a coach as well as staff members from winning.  There is simply not a single downside for coach harbaugh to take the Michigan position.

Joined: 12/05/2014

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AMazinBlue

December 21st, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^

1.  I have never seen any evidence, written, or video that Harbaugh has ever been offer the UM job before.  There simply is no proof.  It's all speculation.

2. If Harbaugh passes on the Michigan job this time.  He will NEVER get another chance.  The burn scars will last a lifetime and leadership at UM will never forget what he has put the university through.

The NFL has 4-8 openinging every season.  Some better than others, every year there is at least one 'great' opportunity to step in and 'win now'.  Michigan on the other hand will not come around again for him.  It's now or never.  So if Harbaugh really 'wants' to coach Michigan at some point, that point is now.  Should make the decsion a little easier.

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