January 5th, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^
Am I the only one who keeps having Jim Herrmann nightmares every time I see the initials "JH" posted anywhere?
January 5th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
1. He has an NFL staff that he has to convince a college job is his choice, if that is what he perfers. I know they can bolt, but, there is that
2. Right now he is running a great pro "prep" offense. I know it seems complex, but, it hinges on the simple part of executing. The game with in the game movements and such pray on the college athlete, but, wouldn't be such an advantage in the pro's.
The point is, he is at another level for the college game scheme and coaching wise. But, what makes him a great college coach is his personality in recruiting and motivation.
I say tack on a Harbaugh tax to each ticket that goes directly to him. 110,000 would be more then happy to pitch in each game.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
Jim is definitely my first choice, but if Brady Hoke is hired, we must be more welcoming than with RR. The last thing we need is upset termites screwing things up again. He's said this is his dream job and I believe he would treat it as such.
edit: and all of SDSU's losses this year were to Missouri, BYU, TCU, and Utah and they were all under 5 points. That's not too shabby if you ask me.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:29 PM ^
I don't think he'll get a bad reception, at least once the season starts. My worry is that he is our Charlie Weis, the unproven head coach that has immediate success with the program another coach was building up before getting canned after just three seasons, receives universal praise from an uninformed fanbase/administration before settling in to mediocrity or worse in year three and beyond.
I hope he isn't hired. If he is, then I really hope I'm wrong.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
I don't think it's fair to compare him to Weis. Weis was an offensive coordinator with no HC experience, and no one had any idea how he'd handle the other side of the ball. (As it turned out, he handled it very poorly.) Hoke has an actual HC track record. It didn't look so good from 2003-06, but it looks better after that. I think it's plausible that he needed some time to learn on the job, but has now gotten this head coaching thing pretty much figured out. I was impressed with his team in the bowl game.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^
And I really hope he emphasizes defense first thing when he gets here. OSU gets away with so many near screw ups because they have such great defense. I really wish we could see that here, just a better offense than theirs too.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
Weis has a winning record as a college head coach. Unfair comparison.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:45 PM ^
Part of Weiss's problem was him rubbing people the wrong way (not just opposing fans, but Alumni and such). Not being likable, basically. Which (maybe unfortunately) matters in college. Everyone around the University who's worked with Hoke loves him. And I can only assume that the people he interacts with at the U will feel the same way (Alumni, staff, fans). The average fan on the street will freak. But he might get the important one's with $$$ behind him. Might prevent some of the problems ND had. Assuming we win games, of course.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:19 PM ^
He got fired because the program he built couldn't get over the hump, but at least he got a chance. His resume is also a hell of a lot better than Hoke's.
Assistant coaching career: Weis has two strong stints as an offensive coordinator in the NFL while Hoke was a d-line coach at Michigan and Oregon State.
Head coaching career: Both inherited college teams from Indiana that won 5 and 6 games the two years before they arrived (eery similarities continue). Weis went 35-27 and left his successor a blue-chip junior QB (Crist), a stud WR (Floyd), a stud TE (Rudolph), a stud LB (T'eo) and the team went 8-5. Hoke went 34-38 and left his successor (Stan Parrish) a team that won 2 games. Both have one bowl win against a less talented non AQ opponent, though Hoke got to play his game in his home stadium whereas Weis had to travel to Hawaii to play Hawaii.
This guy has done absolutely nothing to justify giving him the head coaching job at Michigan, much less dumping Rodriguez to get him. If Brandon hires him I will be disgusted that the worst type of cronyism that has hampered the program in the past is now run rampant in our new athletic department.
Luckily I don't think it is going to happen.
January 5th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
started out over the hump and then got stuck on one. Put his last three years as his first three years, and he is facing the same music RR faced.
He bought or 'got a chance' because he STARTED out his ND stint with two BCS bowls and a 9 and 10 win seasons. RR does that his first two years, he's probably got five more.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:41 AM ^
Weis is a humpback whale.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^
January 5th, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^
Sounds like Harbaugh to 49ers is a done deal. http://twitter.com/#!/49ersnews
January 5th, 2011 at 6:22 PM ^
Saw that. Schefter, however, said the meeting is still going on (as of his tweet - which was after 49ernews' tweet). But seems like it'd over.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
No word yet from the Chronicle
January 5th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
He hand picked the GM in San Fran. Best guess is that they are laying out the groundwork for bringing in a staff and finishing up the money issue.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^
Most thought Lombardi would have been Harbaugh's preferred GM given their past working relationship
January 5th, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^
Is it opposite day? By all accounts, Harbaugh is underwhelmed by the new SF GM.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
stays in California, my fingers are crossed.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:30 PM ^
What the hell is the matter with you?
January 5th, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
I think its time to get ready for Hokeamania in AA. Not thrilled if that is the choice. But at a minimum we are the guys destination job and if he is able to pull it off he will be our coach for the next 15 years.
Regardless, Brandon needs to take care of this ASAP as in the next week. I think if Hoke is the pick we will know in a day or so. Recruiting is shot already unless its a big splash name coming in.
Also, maybe there are some NFL coaches/assistants that are still playing that he is waiting on? Seems like someone from the Athletic Department indicated that there was interest from some NFL people that people would not expect a month ago.
John Harbaugh??? ;) Kidding.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
Haha, if John Harbaugh became our coach I would literally die laughing.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:05 PM ^
...and from the sounds of it, he doesn't, than forget him. I'd rather have the guy who would kill to coach at Michigan because he'd be in it for the duration. We won't have to worry about Hoke bolting for the NFL after a few good seasons at the helm, or have to listen to the cliche'd crap that comes out of Harbaugh's mouth.
I'm so over that guy...he's so self-righteous.
I'm hearing nothing but good things about Hoke's approach to the game, team/family environment and his ability to mold young men. All in for Hoke if he's named the new HC at Michigan.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^
January 5th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
I'm still very much confused...
Why NOT EVEN CONSIDER LES MILES?
His name and success alone will translate to recruiting. Plus he can better utilize the talent we have.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
And don't give me the expensive buyout bullshit because I've heard numerous times its at $1.25 million and I can almost guarantee Michigan boosters will gladly cover it.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^
I heard the buyout, or read, was at something like 12 million. It's public record down there so someone should be able to find out. Either way, I highly doubt Miles would come to Michigan.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:10 PM ^
Pretty sure it's in the area of 1-2 million, not 12 million....
January 5th, 2011 at 9:59 PM ^
He has only one buyout clause in his contract. It's for UM and it's $1.25M. You can read through the whole thing here: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/graphics/2009/coaches-contracts/pdf/miles_lsu.pdf
January 5th, 2011 at 9:52 PM ^
The oversigning. Kicking kids out after they've moves into dorms. Questionable game management. Shady recruiting rumors. Rumors of personal conduct when on the staff. Would keep the Athletic Department fractured, if not the fanbase.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^
namely, just rumors? Really?
January 5th, 2011 at 8:54 PM ^
I have been a huge Harbaugh proponent, but I only want him here if he wants to come here. I don't want to have to entice him with bigger $$ than the 49'ers are willing to pay him. The whole reason why I was in his corner is because of his passion for college football. If it ever were to become a bidding war with a pro team, then we're just another money-driven soulless team. I'm all for paying him a lot, but only if his heart is here.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^
Fans just need to wake up and realize that JH IS NOT COMING TO AA!!! It's the Herbie Curse....or whatever u want to call it. Just need to move on with whoever we can get
January 5th, 2011 at 10:52 PM ^
January 5th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^
Just in from Mortensen:
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins owner Steve Ross has traveled west to make an urgent pitch to Jim Harbaugh to become their next coach
January 5th, 2011 at 10:25 PM ^
Doesn't Jimmy want one too?
<br>Think I'll pitch my Fanvision
January 5th, 2011 at 10:33 PM ^
ESPN is also reporting that Ross called U of M to make sure he would not be messing up negotiations with Harbaugh. I think we can finally put the Harbaugh to Michigan hopes to rest. Ross was told Harbaugh does not want to come to Michigan and he jumped on a plane shortly after.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:54 PM ^
January 5th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
but he didn't want to come. You can't blame Brandon for not signing him if he simply didn't want to come. Enough w/ the blaming of DB - Harbaugh wasn't coming yesterday, last week, or a month ago. He wants the NFL, and everyone gets what they want in life.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:54 PM ^
Second is to think I understand. He's had his time here, done his thing. That can't be erased. Needs to move to the next level if that's what he sees the NFL being.
<br>We'll find the right guy
<br>And I'll keep my Fanvision
January 5th, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
not maize and blue. He would have committed to UM the day after the Orange Bowl if he cared about the program. At this point I'll be happy with Matt Millen if we stop talking about JH :)
Jim will realize he made a mistake after he flunks out of the NFL with the crap team in San Fran. Smith sucks at QB, Gore gets hurt every year, and the defense stinks (killed my fantasy team).
January 5th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
This is one of the first stories I've seen that indicates Harbaugh isn't an option anymore for Michigan.
Chris Mortensen reports:
"Furthermore, Ross had dialogue with University of Michigan officials to ensure that he would not be competing for Harbaugh's services with his alma mater, sources said. Ross, who is one of Michigan's largest benefactors, was assured by a Michigan official that Harbaugh was not reciprocating interest in the college's now-vacant head coaching position."
January 5th, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
If reports coming from 49er boards are any indication, we might want to steer clear of Harbaugh anyway. Unconfirmed board ramblings for the most part but hearing that Harbaugh wants Pete Carroll like money (6.5-7 million a year range).
January 5th, 2011 at 11:21 PM ^
There's also this from the Pro Football Talk article on the Dolphins and Harbaugh:
"We’re told that Harbaugh wants $7 million per year, and there’s a belief in league circles that Harbaugh leaked word that Michigan offered him $5.2 million per year in order to drive up his price at the NFL level."
Hm. If that's true, it's very interesting, to say the least.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^
contribution to Brandon's employer ($100 million) and has been appointed to MSC's advisory group for intercollegiate athletics? Wonder how that conversation went. It could have been written by Mario Puzo.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^
I don't believe any public statement at this point. Any chance Ross is recruiting for Mich.? He buys us a stadium but then tries to take JH away? Doesn't make sense. Nor does the fact that he's flying to see JH, and not the other way around. Other interesting details from the ESPN article: A Dolphins spokesperson claimed to be unaware of any meeting, and JH showed no interest in Dolphins job until the other day (after presumably thinking about his options all season). Could Ross be saying, come to UM and here's what I'll do for you?
January 5th, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
There may be some hope. If Miami does not wow him, he may reconsider Michigan. The 49ers did not want to offer the money needed to secure his services. So if Miami fails, he may come to Michigan, or just stay at Stanford. It would be nice if Harbaugh himself made a statement.
January 5th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
The answers are coming
January 5th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
This may be disinformation, but FootballRumorMill.com sent out this tweet a couple of hours ago:
Sources close to Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh tell FRM that Michigan is not completely out the picture.