[LOCKED] You are entitled to....NOTHING!

Submitted by New Carr on January 1st, 2019 at 5:47 AM

I am exhausted by the absurdity and unrealistic expectations placed on UM football and Harbaugh. The "why aren't we Bama or OSU yet crowd".... get a fucking grip and grow up.  Yeah, it sucks that it is taking longer than we expected and hoped for...and shit, god forbid, maybe we don't get to elite status. UM is not a football factory, it never has been.  We will hopefully compete for the playoff (we have been 1 game short in 2 of Harbaugh's 4 seasons - after the dumpster fire that was the RR and Hoke years) and it seems we are a few players and schematic changes away from getting there.  The "unacceptable", "I feel insulted", entitled, recency bias, torch and pitch fork, reactionary crowd need to find another fucking team or grow the fuck up. We all want better - as an alum, nothing would be more amazing than to attend a national title game.

We are not elite, but SURPRISE!- we don't suck anymore.  And if you give the man more than 4 years, and stop canabilizing the program through negativity and staff turnover, we'll probably get even better than the three - 10 win seasons he has produced in 4 years after inheriting a moribund program.  

And no, Harbaugh is not perfect and has plenty of flaws and we can critique it all, and the team was uninspired for that UF game and there is much improvement to be had and criticism is absolutely warranted.  But if you think anybody better is walking through the door to take the job, which does not allow for SEC win at all costs tactics (and with this delusional and entitled fanbase nonetheless - some who absurdly want him out after 4 years of clear improvement over the past 20 years) get a clue.  Harbaugh is the best thing for UM football and it means more to him to get them over the top than any of you vitriolic spewing morons.  How long did it take Dabo to get Clemson to this point? - And we sure as hell know he can cut corners that Harbaugh can't.   

Harbaugh can easily walk back to the NFL as a top 5 coach and not have to deal with our shit, delusional fanbase, or media just waiting for his every misstep or failure.  Just be happy he has stuck around to get us to where we are, including this great incoming recruiting class....Oh, and he's done it without cutting corners, keeping some semblance of the student-athlete experience about which we all like to boast, unlike the Bama's and OSU's of the world running farcical university experiences to poor mask what are NFL football factories.

If you wish to share tactical, coaching, schematic or talent critiques, I think this board is fair and open to it.  If you just want to spew UNACCEPTABLE, I AM ENTITLED TO MOAR WINS! - go fuck off.  You aren't entitled to shit.

[edit: mgowill] Probably best to lock this now since it seems to be going in circles.
MGoBoard
Football
Harbaugh

victors2000

January 1st, 2019 at 10:11 AM ^

I'm going to disagree with the "Michigan has underachieved under Harbaugh. That is undeniable." Urban Meyer is one of the greatest coaches of all time, coaching at one of the greatest football factories of all time. Coach Dantonio is arguably the greatest coach MSU has ever had. Both of them schools have a mindset that beating Michigan...hell, most of them folks would punch their mom out if it guaranteed beating the Wolverines. We are surrounded by quality foes that are determined to beat us; it's MUCH harder to have success at Michigan than the detractors think.

The team that Jim inherited from Brady had some significant flaws at QB and OL, which are pretty big flaws to have in a team. Big flaws that are directly tied to several of the loses you point out. It takes time to build up both of those areas. Next year, those areas will be built up to higher levels that hasn't been seen around here since, I don't know Lloyds' time? It takes time to develop a program, one that is built of his recruits. Coach isn't done molding the program; things will get better. I for one am excited for the future of Michigan football.

No one should look upon the Florida game as an undeniable failure. We beat Florida 4 straight before the Peach Bowl so they were pretty amped up to beat us. Coach Mullen is a pretty good coach, you could see it reflected in the team, they played well. We had a slew of starters out, difference makers. It was the perfect storm for a defeat. THAT is undeniable.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12914

ERdocLSA2004

January 1st, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^

I agree with you, but tell me why going out and hiring someone else to do Harbaughs job is an acceptable answer to our problem.   I get what you are saying, but what should our head coach be doing on the sideline during a game if he’s not calling plays, not calling defensive schemes, and our qb’s aren’t throwing the ball?  Managing the clock?  Maybe we should hire someone for that too.

Joined: 01/08/2011

MGoPoints: 15855

dp47

January 1st, 2019 at 8:53 AM ^

Please define Top 5 coach?  By what standard are you measuring him? Define great recruiting class.  

Define “farcical football factory”.  Are you implying somehow Michigan recruits from a different set of student athletes?   Aubrey Solomon, Dax Hill, Otis Reese, and Zach Harrison are just a few of many examples of players that were recruited by both programs.  I could be wrong, Reese wasn’t a slam dunk to qualify at UGA.  

He is paid over $7M/ year.  By suggesting Michigan fans are not entitled to more wins, are you saying that at his current salary, he is delivering the results that were expected?  What result is below your standard of acceptable to keep his job?

Joined: 12/30/2018

MGoPoints: 37

All'n4Michigan

January 1st, 2019 at 9:00 AM ^

I agree with almost all of this post. It is very nice to be ranked in the top 10 most of the year and in the CFP discussion each year. Harbaugh will get there, just a few changes and it will happen.

Joined: 05/19/2015

MGoPoints: 138

Eng1980

January 1st, 2019 at 9:19 AM ^

Yeah, what he said . . .  

I am often annoyed by the word "unacceptable" as if one had a choice to accept it or not accept it.

As for me, I would rather lose every game than cheat although the definition of cheating is fluid as Bo admitted (after he retired) he cheated (technically) to get more walk-ons at the team training table.

I enjoy walking in the footsteps of Oosterbaan, Ford, Frost, Jones, Kennedy, McCracken,  Prahalad, Irwin, Scott, Worden, McDivitt, White way too much to worry about a football season. (ttomuch)  The undergrad program was number 2 and graduate program was number 1 when I was there so I think Michigan is more that a football team.

Happy New Year one and all.  God bless us everyone including those that shall not be named

Joined: 04/28/2016

MGoPoints: 11962

victors2000

January 1st, 2019 at 9:26 AM ^

Hear, hear!

Right on with the 'Not a football factory' comment, folks forget that in the midst of a game. We all want to win but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. We move on. Frankly, I'm already looking forward to next year, Go Blue!

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12914

Ger Sauden

January 1st, 2019 at 9:26 AM ^

The post could have done without language. 

Do the moderators here think about the image this much foul language gives to this blog, and to Michigan sports?

Joined: 12/03/2018

MGoPoints: 668

WorldwideTJRob

January 1st, 2019 at 9:29 AM ^

Look we can’t have it both ways all year and especially leading up to the game, all I heard was that our talent level was better than OSU’s. They had the patchwork offenseive line this season. None of their backs were better than Higdon, our WR’s were much better than theirs. Hell some on this board thought Patterson was better than Haskins. We had the #1 defense in the country, while they were getting shredded by Maryland and Purdue. So when fans get on here and say “We can’t be OSU!” I say “why the hell not?” We were much more dominant throughout the season than they were before that last Saturday in November. We were the team national pundits were saying was destined to make the playoffs. We got outcoached and outschemed that game and were forced to eat some humble pie. That doesn’t mean pack up and go home with the attitude that we can’t compete! That should fuel this whole program to see that the ultimate goal is not that far off. It can be achieved and I believe we can be a dynasty. OP, you wouldn’t tell your kids(if you have any) to not to strive to be the best in whatever they do because the competition is too steep. No you would encourage them to do better and to strive for greatness! That’s what most of the fan base is doing. After all even the fight song says Michigan is the leaders and best, not second fiddle to OSU.

Joined: 07/05/2010

MGoPoints: 31122

DeepBlueC

January 1st, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^

The "ultimate goal" was not that far off in 2016.  And it's looking just as far off in 2019.  

Bottom line, Harbaugh has reached his ceiling.  His offense was averaging almost 50 points a game in 2016 until we imploded.  He had supposedly the #1 defense in the country the last two years...until we imploded.  If he can't win championships with that, what more does he need that can be realistically expected?

Joined: 03/08/2018

MGoPoints: 1431

maizenbluenc

January 1st, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^

I don't recall anyone saying our talent was better. I do recall many saying we're playing better and OSU appears to be a team in turmoil not playing to their talent level.

They mailed it in the whole season until they played us. Meanwhile everyone on our side laughed and fell asleep at the wheel with dreams of playoffs dancing in their heads.

Then there was one man Ohio jabroni OL at Indiana too.

Joined: 07/21/2009

MGoPoints: 10630

samdrussBLUE

January 1st, 2019 at 9:38 AM ^

Our history would indicate that we are entitled to conference champions every once in a while.

Joined: 01/21/2012

MGoPoints: 18004

MaineGoBlue

January 1st, 2019 at 9:44 AM ^

Give this man (or woman) a HAIL YEA!  What everyone casually forgets is the prediction thread from the beginning of the year that netted us out around 9 wins.  Now here we sit with a sour taste in our mouths from watching our team get their asses kicked saying 10 wins isn’t good enough. We have one national championship in most of our lives... one.  Harbaugh has put us in position to at least have a shot, is he going to do it?  Maybe not (probably not?), but it’s sure as hell fun to be competitive.  Enjoy what we’ve got going on and don’t act like anyone else is going to walk through the door and make this better.

Thank you OP, Happy New Year to you!

Joined: 12/30/2016

MGoPoints: 1429

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 1st, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^

And no one predicted our 3-game destruction of PSU, MSU and UW.  

The 2018 squad ended the year 10-3 and 8-1 in the B1G.  Yep, that 1 loss to OSU stings and it would sting regardless of the score. But 10-3 is a good season even by Michigan standards. 

Joined: 11/01/2012

MGoPoints: 18049

throckman

January 1st, 2019 at 10:06 AM ^

This season's schedule featured:

- road game at a playoff team (L)

- road game at the B1G West winner (W)

- home game vs last year's B1G West winner (W)

- home game vs a NY6 bowl team (W)

- road game at the school that lives to beat us (W)

- road game at our rival who's motivated knowing it'll be their coach's last The Game and last home game (L)

 

If you're going to kill the king, you need to have someone else to call the king.  Who the hell else is going 4/6 in the above gauntlet?

That said, next year's schedule is favorable, and if Harbaugh doesn't deliver the B1G East title...?

 

 

 

Joined: 01/01/2018

MGoPoints: 474

SD Larry

January 1st, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^

Yes.  My only addendum is there are a mystifyingly high number of trolls who post on the blog particularly during Michigan football games.  Its one thing to have a few laughs at sports for entertainment purposes, its another to be obsessed with any adversity Michigan encounters during a game as your personal fulfillment.   Weird, sad, and pathetic all at the same time during a 10 win season that could have been better or a lot worse, with an outstanding basketball season underway.  I guess haters gonna hate in life, and losers gonna be losers, but have absolutely no effect on how the vast majority of us here view Michigan sports teams.  Happy New Year to all.

Joined: 10/05/2014

MGoPoints: 40986

MoCarrBo

January 1st, 2019 at 10:03 AM ^

And just like clock work the Harbaugh fans coming out of the wood work with their inane takes.

 

Notice how they can insult(from the comfort of their computer screen) those who dont agree that the program is on the right trajectory constantly and the mods fo nothing. 

 

Shows how much of a bubble some Michigan fans live in. If you told anyone else in the country a coach who has failed to win a conference title at any school is top 5 they would laugh in your face 

 

Harbaugh isn't the caliber of coach that Saban or Dabo is. Hell I dont know if he is better than Mork. I believe he is a great motivator, recruiter and knows how to lead. I dont think he is a great x and o guy and I think he struggles in game situations. I think his offensive system is extremely flawed and he wastes talent using it. 

 

Point blank ncaa football is about results and if you think Harbaugh can go 0-5 against LSU and not at least make the Big Ten title game without getting his ass shipped out you are probably one of his nieces

Joined: 10/08/2018

MGoPoints: -1519

SMart WolveFan

January 1st, 2019 at 10:28 AM ^

Dabo?

Heck, Dabo was only 2-5 against his rivals in year 5, and he lost AT HOME as the favorite by 37 points! Clemson's rival went on to win the championship, Clemson would still lose the next 2 to their rivals and go through a stretch were they were only 8-4.

Results? Trending down? Bad coach?

Joined: 04/20/2015

MGoPoints: 14700

SMart WolveFan

January 1st, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^

Well ...ok ....but .... Dabo was a college coach for 12 years, was in the Clemson program for 5 and took over a team that hadn't had a losing record in a decade.

Harbaugh was a college coach for half that time, hadn't done it in 5 seasons and was estranged from the program that had finished with a losing record 3x in the last decade.

Yup there is a huuuuuge difference. Heck, Harbaugh is even a little ahead of Dabo's pace.

Joined: 04/20/2015

MGoPoints: 14700

UMxWolverines

January 1st, 2019 at 12:57 PM ^

I fail to see how being in college football longer as an assistant correlated with Dabo winning championships faster. Nobody said that was a prerequisite when he was hired. They said he made a superbowl so he'll come in and win a lot. I guess we can expect a championship in about 10 years. Just keep pushing that timeline back. 

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65435

SMart WolveFan

January 1st, 2019 at 1:22 PM ^

Who's they, and why would you be so naive as to listen to idiots?

"I fail to see how being in college football longer as an assistant correlated with Dabo winning championships faster"

Dabo Swinney personally met and had known every single one of Clemson's players and recruits for months to years before he became head coach.

If you don't see how that is relevant, you might as well stop "thinking" about college football and just look at it like Magic.

 

Joined: 04/20/2015

MGoPoints: 14700

UMxWolverines

January 1st, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^

You don't know what the word trolling means. People with different opinions than you are not trolls. 

And no, I don't see how Dabo "knowing Clemson's current players" helped him win a championship 7 years later. Plenty of head coaches come in and win national championships with players they didn't even recruit. In fact, most elite ones do. Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban. 

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65435

SMart WolveFan

January 1st, 2019 at 2:08 PM ^

Thanks for solidifying my point.

All those coaches were part of recruiting at the highest levels for at least a decade before they took over and many signed kids at their new school that they had already been recruiting at their old one; thus, Nick Bosa plays at OSU rather than a Fla. school.

Harbaugh really is waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of schedule if you have any ability to think logically.

Joined: 04/20/2015

MGoPoints: 14700

Jason80

January 1st, 2019 at 10:04 AM ^

I remember the time that Jed York fired Jim because his results weren't good enough...man I miss watching my Niners win games.

Joined: 10/05/2014

MGoPoints: 4099

JPC

January 1st, 2019 at 10:12 AM ^

It's true. If Harbaugh moves on, we definitely won't be able to get anyone better than awful with the $7 million that Harbaugh makes.

Some of you guys were broken by Hoke and RR. Teams hire successful new head coaches all the time. Look at LSU. We're going to be looking at Ohio doing it shortly.

LSU and Michigan are actually a pretty good comparison. Les got fired after winning a championship early and then losing basically every important game for a couple years. So far Harbaugh's "championship" is getting robbed versus OSU in 2016. 

Nobody should complain about a 10-3 team that looks functional in its losses. Michigan didn't look function on either side of the ball against OSU or Florida. Something is wrong with the team and Harbaugh needs to fix it or move on. 

Joined: 10/13/2018

MGoPoints: 12224

JPC

January 1st, 2019 at 11:22 AM ^

It's true. Look at all the shit that people talked about "Cajun Brady Hoke" on here. Yet, Cajun Brady Hoke has more Top 5 wins this season than Harbaugh does in his entire time at Michigan. He also has a good defense and a bad offense. 

I'm so glad that LSU got stuck playing UCF. Losing to them would be awful. 

Joined: 10/13/2018

MGoPoints: 12224