What are your real expectations if we got Harbaugh
Reading some of the posts/threads on here I've come to the conclusion that some on here may be putting too much emphasis on the ability of Harbaugh. I don't question he's the top choice at the moment, but some have almost deified him. The last thing I want to see is a broken fan base in 3 years because Harbaugh didn't get the ship righted in the righ amount of time. That being said, lelt's play the hypothetical game. We sign Harbaugh Jan 4 to a 5 year deal worth base salary of 5 million a year. What's your expectation?
Me personally, I feel like we may be in another position similar to Hoke's first year. Not quite the same, but similar. a well returned team with some adversity under their belt. I would expect an initial boom of production, a 9 win season. Then a fall off for the next 3 years averaging 7-8 wins a season. It wouldn't be till his 5th season that things really start coming together.
I could be wrong and he shows up on campus, 10 5 star recruits decommit elsewhere and commit to UM and we win the NC in year 2. I just want to keep my expectations realistic no matter what coach we get.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
My freshman year, Bo's last year coaching, I vaguely remember the student section bowing to Bo and chanting his name. That's what I expect.
(Not sure if I made this memory up or not.)
November 25th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
The return of the SWAGGER.....Swagger isn't the Coach on the sidelines in short sleeves when it's freezing outside, Swagger is about THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM kicking someones ass on every play.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
Record wise, I would be happy to see slight imporvement and then mildly sustained sucess.
2015: 7-5 / 8-4 2016: 8-4 / 9-3 2017: 9-3 / 10-2 2018+: 10-2+
I told people that we needed to give Hoke four full recruiting classes, in my mind we gave him three, but he doesn't deserve another year. Giving a coach a chance to bring in four FULL classes of players that he recruited gives him the best chance to have success. I see Harbaugh being like our Bob Stoops, except a little bit of a slower start. Consistently winning 9+ games every year and being in playoff contention more often than not.
Culture wise, I just want to feel like I can go to a game and enjoy it. My first game was in 2009 when I was 15. I had such an amazing time and I wanted to go back as soon as possible. I've been to a number of games since, and it hasn't felt the same at all. I don't like going to games anymore and I want to get back to the point where I am willing to shell out to go to a mediocre matchup.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
Step 1: Hire Harbaugh
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!
November 25th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
Immediate improvement the first year, 9-10 wins, beating our rivals, and competing for the B1G title in 3 years.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
I'll preface this by saying that I'm not getting my hopes up about Harbaugh. I don't believe he's coming until he shows up at the podium with a copy of his signed contract and proclaims himself to be our next coach. I need that kind of proof. But I'll go ahead and bite....
Jim Harbaugh turned an NFL team that had been losers for a decade into Super Bowl contenders in one year. I'm not saying the same would happen here, but there's no reason that it couldn't. Barring a mass exodus of transfers, if he shows up there's no reason we can't compete for a conference title next year. All the talent is there to do it, and Harbaugh has shown he can turn things around immediately.
But here would be my expectations. First year, defense holds roughly status quo, and a marked improvement on the offensive side of the ball, especially at the QB position. Turn Morris/Speight into at least an effective game manager. O-Line is full of upperclassmen by then, so the line should be average to good, and with Green/Smith/Isaac, the running game should be good to very good. 8-9 wins, with a victory over either MSU or OSU, maybe a good bowl win, and I'd be happy to call his first season a success. I would give anything to watch Harbaugh do to Meyer next year what he did to Schwartz. Followed by a nice "Sorry I'm not sorry" at the post-game presser.
Second season is where I'd be hoping things really start to click. Maybe not a playoff contender yet, but the signs show we're getting closer to doing it. Again, at least one victory over a rival. QB position starts showing great signs, and Morris/Speight show the ability to take over games if need be. I'm hoping 10-11 win season and a New Year's Eve/Day Bowl Game invite.
Third season and beyond: Yearly conference title contender, semi-regular playoff contender, beating one or both of our rivals every year. We get back on even footing with OSU, and MSU starts showing signs that its getting put back in its place as the second-best program in the state.
Please, football gods, make this happen. Michigan has suffered enough.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
I'd be dissapointed if his record wasn't 17-7 or better in his first two years. After that I would expect the floor to be 9-3 most year with the occasional 7-5 or 8-4.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
I'm curious as to why so many people think 7-5 is a goal next year? I think even if hoke was leading the way next year he'd get at least 8 wins. I remember a day when everyone was pointing to 2015 as "the year" because of schedule and timing of recruits. I think if Harbaugh is here he wins 10 games... at least.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
have you seen Devin Gardner play quarterback? he gone
November 25th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
As much as Gardner has struggled this year, we've been much, much worse when he's out. Expecting that to suddenly change next season seems unwarranted.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
You are truly pathetic. This topic has been hashed and re-hashed, and your obvious hate-boner is shameful.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Maximum program potential. Period. If Harbaugh can't win here, the problems in the program are so deep and intractable that I don't think anyone will be able to win. He should be able to max out the program. Get us to whatever the top of the mountain looks like for us. I don't think we can really be an Alabama type program. I don't think we are willing to look the other way on enough things. But I don't see why we can't go back to what we were, which means that we are in the Big Ten title hunt every year and are a perrenial top 15 team with occasional great teams that make runs into the top 5.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
and MSU 75-80% and winning the B1G 60-75% and compete for natl championship one of evry 3-4 years. Graduate 90% players and no scandal or NCAA issues.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
I would expect the culture in Schembechler Hall to change.
I would expect there to be some turnover of those that fail to meet expectations.
I would expect the team to improve throughout the season.
I would expect Michigan to compete for the conference title ever year including 2015.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
WTF is this question.
Expectations are a NC: Undefeated season and shut outs on Ohio and MSU.
Rose Bowls WINs.
What's Your Deal Bowls all over the place!
GO BLUE! BEAT OHIO
November 25th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
Harbaugh runs a system that suites the player we have. He has been successful at highest levels with the NFL and NCAA.
He will have a much longer leash than the last 2 hires because of his track record. If he is not successful here, then I will be certain that the issue is not with the coaches, but with the Program.
At that point you broom out the entire department and start over with fresh ideas from outside.
November 25th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
Year 1: Come in and get any and all self-entitlement out of the program. The first step is to burn the legacy jerseys. Year 2: 9-3 and people starting to talk about Michigan being back. Year 3 and beyond we are back and compete for the B10 every year to include being in the "playoff" hunt.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
Whatever your expectations are, better lower them a notch or five. Michigan football has gone the way of Northwestern, for those who simply don't choose to really observe the trends over the last decade.
It's over.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
he'd do worse in year two and three. QB is a huge question mark going into next season regardless of whose coaching. The offense rates to be better at nearly every position in 2016 compared to 2015. The only starters we'd lose are Miller and G. Glasgow and we'll still have a veteran and experienced line.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
Without question Harbaugh would quickly turn around the Michigan ship and rapidly develop Morris, Speight and Malzone into quality UM QBs - the question is to what degree. Gardner would be another question despite Harbaugh's coaching acumen.
I say this with all due respect and in defense of Devin, but he was never a QB at the university level, nor do I believe he would be in the NFL. To be very clear this is not a criticism nor trashing of Devin Garder, nor apology. It is only my perception after watching this kid give his all to the university - there was never a lack of effort by him. Kudos to him for that.
Gardner was unfortunatley miscast at UM (inability to evaluate talent) from the getgo despite the athleticism he displayed at the high school level - poor QB skill sets - footwork, release point, reading defenses, decision making, feel for the pocket and accuracy did him in at Michigan. At the high school level where player development is uneven, his superior athleticism masked poor QB skills required to attain success at the next level.
True, Gardner attended QB camps to improve on those skills and still regressed, albeit coaching was of no help when he returned for the season's start. While he got high marks at those camps, under live game pressure the hoped for development of those QB skills was never apparent. (Yes, he had that one great passing year - an outlier, maybe, looking at it now).
But he always seemed to be a better runner than passer, and was so beat up these past two years he couldn't rely on his feet. That coupled with undeveloped (or non-existent) QB skills he couldn't possibly excell, ergo miscast as a QB.
There is no doubt Devin was/is a tough kid and represented UM exceptionally well, especially with his outstanding off-field community service. Earned his UM degree(s) and his future is bright. He was the unquestioned team leader. I hope that will be his legacy. I wish him well.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
Two words:
World domination.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling. 
November 25th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
Will be correct in his "year end reviews" for a change because he'll be traveling from the right parallel universe for once.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^
at least once every 4 or 5 years.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 25th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^
7-5 first season and 8+ with the OSU game playing out as who gets into the B1G championship game going forward.
I can live with a few stinker seasons (7 wins or so) due to injury every once in a while.
MOstly I expect a well coached football team with depth at every position ... you know, a good solid program.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
Beating the snot out of teams we should.
Graduate Players.
No grief
Beat OSU and Sparty on a consistant basis.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
I've reconsidered my expectations. My new expecation is that if we do in fact get Harbaugh that there will be no more hypothetical coaching search threads for at least a year or two.
November 25th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
1. Beat MSU and OSU first season 2. get to BIG championship game second season 3. Get to playoff third season 4. Win NC fourth season 5. Discover cure for cancer fifth season 6. Reduce my Comcast bill sixth season 7. Eliminate national debt seventh season 8. Discover cure for male pattern baldness eighth season 9. Get my dog to stop scooting his ass inside ninth season 10. Win another NC tenth season
November 25th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^
Growing pains in year 1 as those who can't handle his brand of coaching either transfer out or quit. Then starting in year 2 we will piss excellence and give Dantonio and Meyer "maize" showers.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
I think any competent coach should be able to lead this team to 8-9 wins in his first year. Our collection of talent coming back next year should be much better than what we have this year:
- The offensive line, which is finally showing promise, should be staffed entirely by experienced players who were highly-rated recruits.
- Even if we lose Funchess, Darboh/Chesson/Canteen/Norfleet finally have some game experience.
- We will have several experienced, highly-rated RBs to lean on, and will be adding another in Ty Isaac.
- We're losing Devin Gardner, who I think is an awesome person but appears to have been irreparably broken as a QB. Morris hasn't shown much good so far, but really can't be much worse, and Speight is always an option now that he's been here for a full year..
- The defensive line is losing Beyer and Clark, but we have guys who can replace some of their pass-rushing ability and the interior should be far better with actual experience.
- The LBs and secondary should be improved, with a lot of young guys getting experience balancing out the loss of Ryan and Taylor.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
Morris hasn't shown much good so far, but really can't be much worseDude, come on. We already know that he's so much worse at this point, broken DG or no broken DG. This staff destroys QBs for whatever reason, and someone will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to turn this around next year.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
I'm surprised to hear people think that 7 or 8 wins would be good next year under Harbaugh or any new coach for that matter. As bad as this year has been, we were just a couple of plays away in the Rutgers and Maryland games from having 7 wins right now.
Even though we're breaking in a new QB, we have a lot of talent coming back on both sides of the ball. Also, while the non-conference schedule should be more difficult, we still have three games at home. The B1G schedule will also be better as our toughest games are at home.
If Hoke were here, I would expect 7 wins from those factors alone. If we get a new coach, I'll be disappointed if we don't do a couple of games better than that.
November 25th, 2014 at 1:37 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
Simply, hope and general competence. I want to be able to play good teams, namely Ohio and MSU, and feel like we actually have a legiitmate chance of beating them.
November 25th, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^
November 25th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^