What (if anything) has Harbaugh done wrong in Year 1?

Submitted by FormAFarkingWall on

So many good things have happened in 1 Anno Harbaugh, the Year of Our Harbaugh, that the list of positives would fill up a series of diaries, and even then would still be incomplete. 

We've discussed, and celebrated, the many good things and will continue to do more of that I'm sure.  This morning, to change it up, I'm interested to hear perspectives on things you think he DIDN'T do right.  Perhaps a more critical analysis from time to time will help ensure we don't turn into a PSU-like fanbase, turning the football coach into a deity that can do no wrong (even when faced with obvious evidence to the contrary)? 

My list is small:

1) Waiting to unleash Jabrill on offense until mid-season.  Could his dynamic playmaking abilities have won the Utah game?  That game was so tight that I believe he could have been the difference maker.  

2)  Posing for this picture.  THIS IS NOT A POWER POSE, JIM.  (Credit:  Melanie Maxwell - Mlive.com)

122915_SPT_WestOrangeHarbaugh_MRM_038.JPG

MGoBoard
Football
Coach Harbaugh
Also Harbaugh

justingoblue

December 30th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^

I'm sure he made plenty of mistakes. Whether we're able to see them or noticed is a different story.

Last offseason I was really skeptical about Jaybaugh, but given a year to kind of see the rationale behind it and seeing that the TE's are doing just fine I think he made a good call.

Joined: 11/16/2010

MGoPoints: 29741

coldnjl

December 30th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^

Really? Kid has been a great and ferocious recruiter. When Marrow passed on it, he gave the position to a hungary kid. Furthermore, he has been a great coach, as best seen by getting great development out of all TEs...Williams being exhibit #1, along with some very good flashes from Hill, Bunting, and even Poggi. 

Joined: 12/31/2009

MGoPoints: 13948

MotownGoBlue

December 30th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^

On the field: Too many penalties and still not enough turnovers on D. Off the field: I may have let Minnick go. JMO. Edit: And should have baked a damn Birthday Pie, for Mr. Young. Come on coach!

Joined: 08/09/2014

MGoPoints: 25374

westwardwolverine

December 30th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^

The penalties would be my one issue. It seemed like we gave teams so many second chances that they didn't deserve because of idiotic penalties. And that was on top of getting boned by the refs over and over again (Will Jake Rudock ever benefit from a targeting call?). 

Joined: 11/26/2013

MGoPoints: 9007

Former_DC_Buck

December 30th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^

I do both Y level and a summer rec league.  In both there are coaches who have that kind of entusiasm and have challenged my calls when I am standing over the swimmer who missed the touch and they are about 30 yards away.  I'd like to think I am fair and I don't look any closer at the kids in that team's swimcaps than any other swimmer.  I do know some officials in the rec league who are reluctant to make calls for fear of incurring that coaches wrath and few who I think go out of their way to make calls because of it.  One would like to think the grown ups would be more mature than the kids, but sadly that is not always the case. 

While there is an "ethusiatstic" Y coach as I said, the Y training is much more involved and the support system for the officials is much better than the Rec league.  So I don't think refs are reluctant to make calls nor are they as likely to punish a vocal coach.  But even there I find I have to remind myself not to take a challenge personally.   

Joined: 12/01/2013

MGoPoints: 1591

Big_H

December 30th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^

Ahh, I would have to go with what other posters have already said.

 

Playing Grant Perry against Utah. It was the season openor against a good team at their stadium. Playing a freshman WR in your very first game, with a QB who had only been there a month.. Just didn't make sense.

 

Jabrill probably had his hands full against Utah... but giving him some hand offs would probably have been safer than playing Grant Perry. Jabrill would have been the difference maker.

 

If we don't play Grant Perry and utilize Peppers in the Utah game we probably come away with a close win. Hindsight is 20/20 though.

 

MAX PROTECT in the last punt against State.. Or maybe just throw up a Hail Mary and leave state with one play.

 

Idk, really there isn't much because with both of those things you really didn't argue with the call until it went bad for us. I actually was comfortable punting the ball..had confidence..until I saw the gunner split wide.

Joined: 02/12/2012

MGoPoints: 2595

Padog

December 30th, 2015 at 10:43 AM ^

Yeah bring in an extra offensive lineman and have your best two tight ends on the other side. Start lined up in the shotgun then motion into an under center max protect with a 7 seven step drop and heave. That takes almost all of the time off of the clock and they have to complete a Hail Mary.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 08/27/2010

MGoPoints: 8510

Real Tackles Wear 77

December 30th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^

To everyone calling out that he played Grant Perry...

take another look at the film from the Utah game. He had a great day as a blocker vs Utah. It might have seemed stupid in retrospect if that was the only PT Grant got all year and that game therefore cost him a redshirt year but I don't think the Grant Perry's of the world will be getting 5th years at Jim Harbaugh's Michigan. Jabrill did not need to be used on offense that early.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 9704

ijohnb

December 30th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^

could pick and choose his spots to meltdown a little bit. Like the PSU meltdown - Yes. The Oregon State meltdown? He could leave that one in the tank for use at a later date. (Particularly, the MSU game, where I think he should have gone full Billy Martin).

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

SoDak Blues

December 30th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^

Agree to some degree. However, there are all sorts of reasons to melt down (many of which Bo characterized). Get the officials attention that they suck, show the team you are still 100% engaged even if up big, motivate the coaching staff, you are just simply pissed, etc... I personally love watching him get fired up. Adds to the game for me. 

Joined: 09/24/2015

MGoPoints: 17693

Unicycle Firefly

December 30th, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^

Not that it probably would have mattered, but I don't think he should have sent so many guys after the punter in the first quarter against OSU. You just knew after getting a free first down from their own endzone that OSU from would get a TD, and we never had any momentum after that.

Joined: 10/01/2013

MGoPoints: 8670