What makes people think Harbaugh would take the job?
I see a lot of RichRod's detractors saying that we should fire him and hire Harbaugh, but are there strong reasons to believe that he would come here?
Not sure how many people have been to Palo Alto, but a friend of mine taught there for a while and I can tell you. . . it is one beautiful, warm place. They probably have the money to match us, and the pressure on Harbaugh is relatively light there. (Coming from a small private school he only has to be good, not win regular championships.) I'm not saying that he wouldn't be interested, but I don't see it as a gimme.
It may well be, for that matter, that Brandon has some real knowledge about Harbaugh's interest. . . I'm not opposed to his coming, btw, should RichRod be dismissed, though I don't think a Michigan pedigree should be the deciding factor. Maybe having one of Bo's boys makes some alumni feel warm and fuzzy, but it doesn't necessarily win football games.
November 21st, 2010 at 1:27 AM ^
November 21st, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^
No, we don't know that Luck is leaving for the NFL this year. From everything I've seen, he'll be a Top 5 pick (maybe # 1) so he might want to strike while the iron is hot.
Sam Bradford came back for an extra season and got injured, missing most of the year. Of course, that didn't really impact his draft status.
I agree with you that there's a very likely scenario that Harbaugh may last one more year at Stanford. However, we all know that he won't be there much longer.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
Not a sophomore.
November 21st, 2010 at 2:54 AM ^
that the players you mention wont be here next year if the coach gets fired ,why because they run a different style.If we get a new coach another season will slip away.We have 2 big games left plus the extra pratices.We will be way better on offense in the bowl game and it will carry over into next year.Everybody will be a year older isn't that the key?Also we just got to play some defense shall we.I think or i am predicting at least 11 wins next year will that calm everybody down.GO BLUE!!!
November 21st, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Is b/c he loves Michigan.
I'm sorry. Did you not read the papers in 2007, when he completely bashed U-M?
And you consider that love?
If you loved a woman for most of your life, would you do an interview for the newspaper and publicly say (whether it's a fact or not) that her intelligence is questionable, or that she has hemorrhoids?
That ain't love, friend.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^
I have a feeling he will be coaching in the NFL very soon.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
Dallas Cowboys next coach?
November 20th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
That does seem to be his ultimate goal and I think the NFL can throw more money at him as well. I'd be surprised if he would choose another college job over an NFL shot.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
but he strikes me as the kind of guy who would want the pressure of being the head coach of Michigan or an NFL team like his brother.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
In Bo's 1989 book "Bo," Bo said the following:
"I guess I always knew Jim would come to Michigan. When we finally recruited him out of high school, we waited until the last minute. He came into my office, sat down, and I said, 'Jim, I want you here.' He nodded. That was that."
The kid grew up playing at Ann Arbor pioneer, his dad was on Bo's staff, and he guaranteed and backed up a victory against OSU. He would have a fellow "M" letterman as his AD and all the resources in the world (infinitely more than Stanford). I guess it boils down to asking yourself, "if the biggest stage in the world is the one I grew up on, and I could return to it and be simultaneously the hometown hero and the big-stage hero, would I?" I don't know how many people can turn that one down, regardless of profession.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
he turned us down we'd be decades overcoming the embarrassment. Apparently the guy also has some lingering resentments.
Again, kinda playing Devil's Advocate. (I went to Huron, and Pioneer always killed us back in those days.)
November 21st, 2010 at 12:51 AM ^
I don't think that Jim Harbaugh would turn the job down, at least publicly. I would not be at all surprised if discussions have taken place behind the scenes. We've probably all been in jobs where a Director was there one day and gone the next only to be replaced by someone else. All of that happened out of the public view.
I'm not sure if he would take $2.5 -3MM at Michigan when he could make $4-5MM in the NFL. However, I think all of that will be decided out of public view without embarrassment to the University.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
I think this is all true from what I hear about James but there's a factor I've also heard mentioned a few times that we're not taking into consideration.
Her name is Sarah.
November 20th, 2010 at 11:47 PM ^
Well, we have LeBron James on line 2 to discuss that very topic.....
November 21st, 2010 at 4:21 AM ^
Nice.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
1. Zingerman's
2. Michigan Stadium
3. Sold out Michigan Stadium every week
4. Prestige
5. Recruiting advantage
6. The average coaching tenure is about 3 years at Stanford. He's expected to leave.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
I assume by recruiting advantage you mean that if he pulls in a top 10 class he actually gets to sign most of them because they don't have to qualify for Stanford?
November 20th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
has a top 10 class right now.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
Not really. I'm talking about the advantage of recruiting kids to Michigan, a traditional football powerhouse as opposed to Stanford, a perennial doormat.
November 21st, 2010 at 12:32 AM ^
Zingerman's is not what it used to be.
November 21st, 2010 at 12:41 AM ^
Zingerman's is still excellent. Amer's, on the other hand, is not what it used to be (early to mid-90's). I have a feeling there's plenty of good food in Palo Alto, but it's gotta suck to have a great football team and not be able to fill your stadium.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:00 AM ^
Zingerman's sucks. Now Maize and Blue Deli is very underrated and much better. I am going to laugh my ass off when Rich comes back next season.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:13 AM ^
Your palate offends me greatly.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:52 AM ^
ok, I will clarify. the deli is very overrated and over priced. However, the roadhouse, bakery, and dairy are pretty awesome. I was happy when Adam from Man V. Food went to Maize and Blue over Zingermans.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^
Only point something out. I love Zingerman's and I enjoy Maize and Blue but you need to consider the fundamental difference. Maize and Blue uses store bought meats, breads and sauces (probably supplied by sysco or the like), while Zingerman's makes their own meats, breads and spreads. If for some reason Zingerman's does not make something in house it is because they feel better offering a product from a stellar national or local supplier (slow food, not made in a factory). I know it is freakin expensive but you are talking about quality homemade, handmade food from the best sources anywhere. Just saying.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^
Well said, nail on the head.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^
fair enough.
I only care about taste and I couldn't care less where the meat comes from. From that point of view Maize and Blue beats Zingerman's. I will always choose the Reuben at M&B over Zingermans.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^
Not to get all food snobby on you (which means I'm about to get all food snobby), but the point is that, for discerning palates, high quality meats, cheeses taste a lot better than generic, mass-processed stuff. Which is why most feel that Zingerman's expensive pastrami is better than Maize and Blue's. Which is why no McDonald's burger will ever hold a candle to a Blimpy Burger, which is made from hand-ground, high-quality beef. You may prefer the way Maize and Blue puts a sandwich together, the accompaniments, etc, but Zingerman's doesn't use high-quality ingredients just for the fun of it -- they do it for the taste.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
For the average person they don't care. I watch food network a lot especially alton brown (I do miss the Food Science show with with Ted Allen). For me I don't care if a burger is made with Kobe steak (I had an awesome Kobe steak burger topped with seared Maine lobster at West End Grill once) or with basic USADA choice ground beef. If the ground beef burger tastes better then I would prefer that. You know what, sometimes I just have a hankering for McDonalds. It might not be quality food but sometimes that is just what I want to eat. For that reason all I care about is taste.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
The torch and pitchfork folks are looking for you too! :-)
November 21st, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
Let me guess, you also think a Mazda 3 is a better car than a BMW 3 and that Jessica Tandy is way hotter than Jessica Beal.
Your judgment, logic and perspective are all seriously flawed. By the way, RR will be back next year...if you live in West Virginia.
November 21st, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
LOL...when did a subjective opinion become fact. I swear to god they have stopped teaching the difference between facts and opinions in our nation's school.It is obvious you fail to understand the difference.
Do you want to bet mgpoints that Rich will be back next season? Only a complete moron or someone who reads nothing but the FREEP or listen to 97.1 believes that Rich will be gone. God you must be the most moronic person on this board. FYI, that is an opinion, although given your body of work on this board, this qualification maybe creeping towards fact.
November 21st, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
Clearly, mgopoints points mean nothing (just look at how many you've rolled up). Thanks for continuing the onslaught of tired, childish insults though. It's been fun wondering how you keep your Ovaltine from spilling on the action figures you keep lined along the edge of your keyboard.
One day, you'll step outside of the MGoBubble and see that you hide yourself in a tiny, inconsequential minority of "thought". If we lose next week, get ready for a press conference.
November 21st, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
I think this image is appropriate once again....
OMG we don't have the same culinary tastes. Seriously, dude get over it.
Your self righteous attitude is annoying. It is obvious you have some hard on for the latest M alumni flavor of the season.
I am up for the mgopoint bet. Lets get Brian or another mod to certify it. I will bet my current point total that Rich is back next season. Do you really want to do it, or do you actually feel that Rich will be back next and that the majority of your posts are full of crap.
November 21st, 2010 at 3:46 PM ^
"Latest alumni flavor of the season"? What the hell does that mean? That doesn't even make sense.
Dude, there's really no point in continuing with you. I'm done wasting my time with someone clearly choosing to close their eyes to reality. You can rub my invisible points all over yourself like monopoly money. I couldn't care less. All the best.
November 21st, 2010 at 3:57 PM ^
seriously, does the flavor of the season in 2008 ring a bell...Les Miles. Everyone was fawing of him back then.
I have no clue what drugs you are on, but you obviously don't live in reality. You chose to ignore the situation Rich was dealt with a alumni base that was divided from the beginning and particularly towards anyone from a direct Bo lineage. You also ignore the factors that led to many of the players that transferred. Many factors that was out of the hands of Rich. Rich shouldn't have to grovel to get players to stay.
I see you wussed out on the point bet. Not to confident of your proclamation are you?
I guess I am wasting my time on Rich hater. Did Rich kick your puppy or flip off your kid?
November 20th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
November 20th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
You can't just hire any coach you want. There is no particular reason a guy Mullin would want to come here. There are reasons why Harbaugh might.
November 20th, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^
November 20th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
When have they ever paid big bucks to a coach in their athletic department?
A place that values academics over athletics as much as they do is not one to get in a bidding war and use their dollars to keep a guy. From what I understand, most people in-the-know at Stanford think it will be hard to keep him.
And yes, it's warm and pretty there. You could say the same about Florida Atlantic but most coaches wouldn't exactly be fond of that atmosphere. Make no mistake about it - the gameday scene in Palo Alto is lame.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2010-06-22-stanford-directors-cup_N.htm
They have won director's cup 16 straight years and their athletic programs overall is outstanding.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^
But I don't think they would pony up the type of cash you need to keep Harbaugh. I might be wrong. I actually think he'll wind up in the pros, maybe at a place like SF, when it is all said and done.
November 21st, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^
True, they've won the Director's Cup several years running. But you need to look into the numbers as to why that is. In 2009-2010, their win was based on these finishes (only the top 10 M and 10 W sports count for each school):
- W cross country (16)
- M cross country (10)
- field hockey (9)
- football (44)
- W soccer (2)
- M soccer (9)
- W volleyball (9)
- W bball (2)
- fencing (9)
- W gymnastics (4)
- M gymnastics (2)
- W swimming (2)
- M swimming (4)
- wrestling (28)
- W golf (19)
- M golf (5)
- W LAX (9)
- W rowing (4)
- softball (33)
- baseball (49)
- W tennis (1)
- M tennis (9)
- W track (14)
- M track (8)
- M volleyball (1)
- W water polo (2)
I don't think you'll mistake many of those for revenue sports (save football, which finished 44th); note the absence of M basketball and ice hockey. If you think the W water polo coach commands a 7-figure salary, we probably need to talk. The expenditure to support most of these teams likely pales in comparison to the true revenue sports.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
His father was quoted as saying michigan was his dream job
November 20th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
Harbaugh is NOT going to stay at Stanford! I hope we are the lucky school/team that gets him. It is his dream job. Sure, DB could mess up the courtship. But Jim Harbaugh is going SOMEwhere. Come on. Hasn't anyone followed college football over the years? He is the hot coach and will move.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
have wings.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/149167-esscence-of-the-michigan-man-…
Jim Harbaugh, was one of the most prolific passer in Michigan history, but that isn't what gets him on this list.
His love and devotion to Michigan football was Jim's greatest asset.
Jim grew up a Michigan fan. Maize and Blue was in his blood, as his father was an assistant for Schembechler from '72-'79.
While his father coached at Michigan, little Jim carried out his duties as the ball boy at practices and games.
He loved Michigan so much as a child he would stay up on Friday nights and listen to recordings of Bob Ufer and memorize all the words. He lived for Michigan.
After his sophomore year of high school his family moved from Ann Arbor to California. Jim wasn't recruited by many big schools except Wisconsin and Arizona and several small schools.
It was when one special offer came, that was when he knew where he was going. That special offer was from Michigan. Once he got that it was all decided.
He returned to Ann Arbor and the rest was history.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
seeing he had such immediate results @ Stanford...
Coaching Career
| Year | School/Team | Assignment |
| 1994-2001 | Western Kentucky | Volunteer Assistant Coach |
| 2002-03 | Oakland Raiders | Quarterbacks Coach |
| 2004-06 | San Diego | Head Coach |
| 2007-10 | Stanford | Head Coach |
| Stanford Total | 17-20-0 (3 seasons) | |
| Career Total | 46-26-0 (6 seasons) |
2009: 8-5 (Finishes tied for second in league and leads Stanford to first bowl appearance in eight years)
2008: 5-7 (Stanford finishes second in the Pac-10 in rushing offense)
2007: 4-8 (Victories over #2 ranked USC and defending Pac-10 Conference co-champion Cal)
November 20th, 2010 at 10:25 PM ^
In Harbaugh's third year at Stanford, he led them to an 8-4 regular season, and a 6-3 Pac 10 record. They lost their bowl game to Oklahoma. Stanford beat #7 Oregon at home and #11 USC on the road that season.
You should also note that Stanford was the doormat of the Pac 10 before he arrived. He inherited a crappy program and made it great. Not the same story here in Ann Arbor in year three.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
on my toilet paper.