Just the facts...and a little perspective
Jim Harbaugh played in the AFC Championship, and came one dropped hail mary from playing in the Super Bowl; he was also a pro-bowler the same year.
Jim Harbaugh gave birth to Stanford football as we know it today.
Jim Harbaugh resurrected a moribund 49ers team and came one muffed punt from coaching in back-to-back Super Bowls.
In Jim Harbaugh’s time as the coach at Michigan he has not gone a full season without losing at least one quarterback at some point during the year.
Michigan is one of only two teams in the current top 25 starting a backup quarterback due to injury (Georgia is the other); no other team is starting their third stringer. Michigan is the only team in the top 25 who has played, and won, a game with three different starting quarterbacks.
Now...for a little perspective: In 2013 Jimbo Fisher’s Florida State team was crowned National Champions; they also went 13-1 the next year. His current team, who was in the top 2 to start the season, is 4-6, with a backup quarterback. Two years ago Mark Richt was run out of town at Georgia. This year his Miami team is 10-0 and ranked number 3. Does anyone think Jimbo Fisher forgot how to coach? Does anyone now think Mark Richt is one of the three best coaches in the country?
Anyone who suggests Harbaugh doesn’t know what he is doing, is somehow overrated, or better yet is the “fourth best coach in his own division” is ridiculous.
November 19th, 2017 at 2:05 AM ^
Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney, Mark Dantonion, Gary Patterson, Chris Peterson, probably David Shaw, and of course Jim Harbaugh.
Georgia is a gold mine of talent. Richt had some good teams there but the guys he was getting, (and wasn't getting) should have led to a lot more winning. Probably the reason he was fired...no?
Not saying he isn't a good coach but his past suggests he is top ten at best.
November 19th, 2017 at 3:34 AM ^
Funny b/c given their resumes I'd say Richt and all those guys you mentioned are actually better than Jim Harbaugh in college.
November 19th, 2017 at 4:34 AM ^
In terms of what he's achieved in his P5 coaching career, Harbaugh doesn't belong in that group of coaches you named.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:26 AM ^
soon to be 10 and the potential for 11
This IS year 3 and this team has many holes
Last year the team was filled with veterans
Losing to Iowa AND OSU were salt in the wound
Had Michigan won those 2 games and played in the CFP, this season would be a little more tolerable
They didn't. Harbaugh is 1-7 vs top 10 teams
November 19th, 2017 at 5:44 AM ^
This is so obvious that it should not even have to be said, and you said it well.
Good thing nobody who matters is listening to all this hand-wringing about JH. He has had some strange teams, all with glaring weaknesses compared to the elite of the elite, but his teams from now on out will have good balance.
He has restored M from a tire fire to a force again. Next year, we start to do some real damage.
If you think that is too long given where we started, I got nothing for ya, nor you for me.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:49 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 7:35 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 8:02 AM ^
Next year huh. I am a dyed in the wool Michigan fan and will ALWAYS root for them. The "damage" will not happen next year though. Me thinks maybe 2019 and if not then the question becomes WHEN.
November 19th, 2017 at 5:48 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 6:47 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 6:48 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 6:48 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 6:48 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 7:55 AM ^
Stop with the NFL bs. This is college football. Totally a different game. Michigan will be 8-4 at seasons end with a meaningless bowl game. Very good chance of 8-5 after that bowl game if opposing team has similar record as Michigan. The reality is that Michigan has become an afterthought. Next year (the new battle cry here) looks like more of the same albeit IMO +1 in the W column. I will continue to root for Michigan in every game they play. Lets just honest with ourselves here and face the facts. Michigan has fallen from elite status years ago. Maybe in 2019 we can get some of the swagger back but until then we are who we are.
November 19th, 2017 at 8:19 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 8:43 AM ^
Mark Richt would like a word with you.
November 19th, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 7:58 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 8:54 AM ^
Funny how the posters here with "next year" mantra are quick to call out those with ANY criticism of the program shitty fans. That is also getting old and stale. Should JH be fired? Hell no he shouldn't. Do changes need to be made in the coaching staff? IMO hell yes. This is MICHIGAN for fucks sake. Is is too much for the "shitty" fans to expect more or just keep waiting till next year. I for one am tired of the latter and excuses!
November 19th, 2017 at 8:15 AM ^
November 19th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^
Every UM fan I know in real life understands that we’ve had a very young and very injured team this year and is thrilled that we have JH. I only run into UM fans that are losing faith in him online.
Hmmmmm
November 20th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
Did anyone reallty think we had a chance to run the ball when Chris Evans ran out as the starter? I like Chris and think he can be a weapon if used correctly, but he is not going to be able to run consistently in between the tackles against a very good defense. Higdon is obviously the better back in those situations, especially against a D like Wisconsin, and he can also grind out a couple more yards per run than Evans due to his running style. We missed Higdon's inability to play at 100% yesterday. Not saying he would have run wild, but I think he keeps a couple drives going with some tough runs and giving Peters some manageable short third downs.
We were the better team through three and a half quarters. We weren't great by any means, but we showed promise and looked like we could win (what, Wiscy had 95 yards offense through 40 minutes?). We didnt get some breaks and there was some head scratching calls on offense and defense, as well as Peters' fumble that left 3 points off the board. Yes, he missed a couple golden opportunities, but overall he played poised. (Although a tad concerned with his underthrows)
Lets also give some credit to Hornibrook and his receviers...when it mattered most, Hornibrook threw some great passes and was aided by some really nice catches by his WRs.
This game was there for the taking, but we didnt execute when it mattered the most through those first three quarters. The team will learn from this game next year.
And yes, there are plenty of issues that need to be addressed, but it seems the offense is close to clicking or at least being above average. I am hopeful that the WR core will take a major step next year (very excited for the reurn of Black, Martin to get a shot, and a lot of playing time this year for DPJ). The O-Line will be a question mark, especially at LT.
Finally, maybe its been discussed here and I haven't seen it, but our special teams has taken a step back from last couple years. Yes, we lost Peppers, but DPJ looks uncomfortable returning punts...and have we blocked a punt this year (maybe one)? I wonder about Patridge's ability to coach special teams. Maybe we had success last year because a lot of those guys had a year with Baxter??? Who knows for sure, but I dont think we have a threat in DPJ as a punt returner. Also, is it me or is our blocking on punts atroicious? Seems DPJ never gets a punt with space to run...opposing team always has players down the field. Thomas looks to have promise as kick returner, but not sure he will be a huge difference maker.
November 19th, 2017 at 2:27 PM ^