2014 Michigan Football: Dammit Jim, we need a Harbaugh. And a miracle worker.
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Watching this QB Development Clinic from when Harbaugh was at San Diego:
http://vimeo.com/34324638
http://vimeo.com/34324638
sachmoney said:
As someone who has been following this from a different perspective, I am not sure what you are upset about. NFL types have been reporting the Michigan offer of $48M+ for almost two weeks. The Michigan offer is what killed any chance of the 49ers getting compensation for Harbaugh and changed the reporting (from "what would the 49ers get compensation wise" to "would Harbaugh really leave the NFL") entirely. I guess you can be upset about the fact that UM was reported asnothing other than a leverage move, but that seems like a pretty logical conclusion. It is perfectly reasonable to assume that an NFL coach as successful and competitive as Harbaugh had no interest in going back to college, especially for a job that has killed two coaches in the last five years.
The other reason that NFL types keep pursing NFL stories about Harbaugh is that he kept talking to NFL teams and has done nothing to end NFL speculation. For example, Marc Davis either committed flagrant tampering or spoke to Harbaugh and offered terms in the last 16 hours, well after he supposedly indicated to the UM people that he was headed to Ann Arbor.
Tim Kawakami @timkawakami 40m40 minutes ago
Just spoke to Raiders owner Mark Davis, who confirmed he has talked with Jim Harbaugh recently but says Harbaugh is doing "something else."
Gunfighter 09 said:
Speaking as an alumnus, I'm not upset at all. As I said upthread, the NFL stringers were late to this story and continue to backpedal and deny Harbaugh's interest in Michigan in spite of reports to the contrary for at least a month. There was no proof of Harbaugh's commitment to the Shield except for "reasonable" assumptions that a coach of his track record and manic personality could never be satisfied at the college level. [SIZE=13.63636302948px]In effect, this is one more nail in the coffin w/r/t the effectiveness of ESPN and other NFL mouthpieces.[/SIZE]
I don't deny that one side or the other - Team Harbaugh or Michigan Interim AD Jim Hackett leaked the offer - but so what? If you followed the previous two (2) disastrous searches, this one was handled decisively. There appeared to be a clear identification of the top candidate and the AD acted quickly and strategically to make it happen. Hopefully it's the last time we need to evaluate a coaching search for a while.
I'm just frustrated and disappointed in the way the MSM/NFL guys covered it. Lost some respect for some guys that I like.
I'm ecstatic. I had a dream a while back and I asked the Ghost of Bo who he wanted as head coach and he replied:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU7MNVOHjU
There's no doubt that this is the best hire and an incredible hire for the program at this point in its history. The program is not at the same level it was 10-15 years ago, and we needed someone capable of restoring the luster. Harbaugh is a grand slam hire. There are few hires I would put on these level, but to name a few, Saban, Meyer, Malzahn. I don't know if any of you watched that coaches clinic video but look at the attention to detail in that video. Everything has a purpose. I feel like that was missing with Hoke.
There's furthermore that competitiveness that everyone speaks of. Hoke spoke of it, but I'm not sure he instilled it. Harbaugh will instill it. I've been Harbaugh non-stop for the last few weeks and I've learned a lot about his coaching. I'm confident. I'm reassured. He's going to do great things for us.
I'm ecstatic. I had a dream a while back and I asked the Ghost of Bo who he wanted as head coach and he replied:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU7MNVOHjU
There's no doubt that this is the best hire and an incredible hire for the program at this point in its history. The program is not at the same level it was 10-15 years ago, and we needed someone capable of restoring the luster. Harbaugh is a grand slam hire. There are few hires I would put on these level, but to name a few, Saban, Meyer, Malzahn. I don't know if any of you watched that coaches clinic video but look at the attention to detail in that video. Everything has a purpose. I feel like that was missing with Hoke.
There's furthermore that competitiveness that everyone speaks of. Hoke spoke of it, but I'm not sure he instilled it. Harbaugh will instill it. I've been Harbaugh non-stop for the last few weeks and I've learned a lot about his coaching. I'm confident. I'm reassured. He's going to do great things for us.
Re: offense, it'll be interesting to see how his time in SF meshes with what he ran at Stanford. I believe it's in the Profiles in Heroism article on mgoblog, but Brian also mentioned in his radio time this morning in Ann Arbor that JH does a good job working some more modern stuff into the MANBALL offense. He's able to run formations with three TEs and also read option concepts with Kaepernick, so the guy is flexible. Hopefully some bigger recruits that may have been turned off by the Hoke saga will come back around and hop back on board, but if not I think Harbaugh and Hackett will be significant improvements on their predecessors.
Yeah, Harbaugh is a manball guy, but he isn't stupid. In this smartfootball piece on Chip Kelly:
This article focuses on RG3, but has some stuff on Roman (who may be our OC) and Harbaugh bringing the pistol to SF. This also sounds like something that would be relevant to the college game. Here's more quarterbacking made simple. More stuff on Niners' offense's diversity. I'm not sure I've linked everything, but it's pretty well documented that Harbaugh is a pragmatist. He's not going to sit around and run the same stuff. He's going to make things work. He'll make the adjustments to make it work.
Would be nice to get this guy back onboard:mgoblue2 said:
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/12/5-star_te_chris_clark_says_jim.html
P. Schrager @PSchrags 8m8 minutes ago
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo ) just said the Raiders offered MORE money to Jim Harbaugh than the University of Michigan. On @FOXSportsLive
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo ) just said the Raiders offered MORE money to Jim Harbaugh than the University of Michigan. On @FOXSportsLive
That matches what I have been told. This is a very bad day in Alameda. The Raiders offered total control of an NFL franchise and the most money and NFL coach has ever been paid and the guy chose to go to a college job, leaving at least one of his kids behind in the process. The Raiders have probably never been in a worse place than today.
mgoblue2 said:
twibnotes said:
I'm guessing Jake Butt feels like he's died and gone to heaven, after having his talents largely ignored by Nuss and Hoke. Having Clark re-join the fold (along with Ian Bunting and AJ Williams as an in-line blocker) makes this position in particular extremely intriguing.
Harbaugh just needs to find a serviceable QB between Speight or Malzone (I'm writing Morris off as a guy who hasn't improved his decision-making since his junior year in high school).
I think this is a unique situation. He's an alum, he's been outspoken about the program, and he just got railroaded out of a spot where he did well. I can't remember the last time an NFL head coach with his record of success turned down NFL jobs for a college job, but with what is assumedly his dream college job sitting there, and after being treated bizarrely by 49ers, it makes a lot of sense to go this route.Gunfighter 09 said:
Harbaugh's salary has not been accurately represented by the media, it appears.
@Johnubacon: BREAKING NEWS: Straight from UM AD Jim Hackett. Harbaugh's salary will be roughly $5M a year, plus incentives, same basic contract as 49ers.
@Johnubacon: Jim Harbaugh told Hackett he did NOT want to be the highest paid coach in CFB, or even the Big Ten. More concerned with pay for assistants.
@Johnubacon: A bit more detail: Harbaugh contract is approximately $5 million for 7 years, with incentives. Clearly, Michigan would like him to stay.
@Johnubacon: BREAKING NEWS: Straight from UM AD Jim Hackett. Harbaugh's salary will be roughly $5M a year, plus incentives, same basic contract as 49ers.
@Johnubacon: Jim Harbaugh told Hackett he did NOT want to be the highest paid coach in CFB, or even the Big Ten. More concerned with pay for assistants.
@Johnubacon: A bit more detail: Harbaugh contract is approximately $5 million for 7 years, with incentives. Clearly, Michigan would like him to stay.
Very happy with all of this news but especially the second tweet. He knows that good assistants go a long way to building a strong program. And it allows them to go up to keep him if necessary.twibnotes said:
Hackett stated the base contact was 7/35 at the presser, but did indicate that there was a "deferred compensation" clause that gets triggered at a certain time (I think he mentioned one year) that factors in "market conditions".
Any way you slice it, it's great news.
Some good questions from the PC. Harbaugh is an awkward communicator (understatement), but had one very funny line. He was asked whether his personality would fit better with college kids compared to the pros. He said, "Well... it's the only personality I've got. All the other personalities were already taken."
He didn't really touch any of the questions related to the timeline of the deal, but did respond when asked, "Why college/Michigan when there were several pro jobs available?". He basically indicated that he didn't have a list of pro's and con's that he went back and forth on. Said Michigan was a dream for him, a place where he saw himself and his family being really happy, and one that ultimately came from the heart." I thought that was a nice glimpse of emotion.
Any way you slice it, it's great news.
Some good questions from the PC. Harbaugh is an awkward communicator (understatement), but had one very funny line. He was asked whether his personality would fit better with college kids compared to the pros. He said, "Well... it's the only personality I've got. All the other personalities were already taken."
He didn't really touch any of the questions related to the timeline of the deal, but did respond when asked, "Why college/Michigan when there were several pro jobs available?". He basically indicated that he didn't have a list of pro's and con's that he went back and forth on. Said Michigan was a dream for him, a place where he saw himself and his family being really happy, and one that ultimately came from the heart." I thought that was a nice glimpse of emotion.
ESPN reporting Jim Harbaugh considering Michigan offer against ownership/GM/Coach possibility for the Montreal Alouettes. Sources say Jim is leaning toward UM, but would consider Montreal if Rue St. Laurent would be renamed in his honor.
Pretty nondescript presser, but still just very exciting nonetheless. Jim mentioned that players will meet with him on January 6th or 7th to go over winter conditioning. I would imagine he would want most of his staff in place by then.
Pretty nondescript presser, but still just very exciting nonetheless. Jim mentioned that players will meet with him on January 6th or 7th to go over winter conditioning. I would imagine he would want most of his staff in place by then.
Congrats to Blue. UM football is suddenly relevant again. I figure you will be back in about 2 years. Look for an 8-4 season next year and then back toe to toe with tOSU again. Good Luck!....PS-Play BC.
soxhop411 said:
Via twitter
Considering JH probably wrote this himself, it is the awesome. I'm giddy today.
Man I loved seeing Michigan at the Heights back in the fall of 91 I think it was. I had Michigan and the points and while they had the game won I was about to pay out as I knew Michigan would kneel on the ball if they got it back, and then long interception return (or was it a kick/punt return) and I was raking it inberniecarbo1 said:
I was sitting in the BC student section that day with some buddies who were current undergrads. Needless to say I was not the most popular guy in the section.
It was a pretty plain press conference. All he really had to was show up and we would be happy. We're starved to get back to winning football. I'm thrilled to have Harbaugh.
My favorite answer was when he was asked which coordinators he wanted to bring in and he answered "The best." Also, Mighty Jack The Quarterback.
Who's got it better than us?
My favorite answer was when he was asked which coordinators he wanted to bring in and he answered "The best." Also, Mighty Jack The Quarterback.
Who's got it better than us?
It was the fall of 91, my senior year at Michigan. Derrick Alexander tore his ACL and we lost him for the year, which seemed like a disaster at the time but one wonders if Desmond Howard could have put up Heisman numbers that year playing alongside a healthy Alexander. They played at the Heights again in the fall of '95, my third year at BC Law. Michigan had a loaded team that year -- at least 10 or 15 guys who played in the NFL. But they went 9-2 plus a bowl loss, which would seem like an underachievement, but there was probably some instability after Moeller's sudden, um, departure the previous spring and Carr suddenly being thrust into the HC role. They lost to Northwestern, which seemed awful at the time, but that was Northwestern's Cinderella Rose Bowl year. I don't think they've been back to the Heights since.
Iman Marshall is the guy I've been after. Getting Peppers back into the CB rotation with Marshall as the other bookend will be critical to defending Meyer/OSU's spreads.twibnotes said:
I am so effing angry that the Niners let Harbaugh go/shoved him out the door and kicked him on his ass as he left, but congrats to those who benefit from this move. Harbaugh clearly chose a spot where he thought he'd be happy, because he certainly could make a lot more money elsewhere. Maybe after dealing with Jerk York for too many years soured him on the whole NFL environment.
Sille Skrub said:
Whoa, Mike, we have all suffered over the past years - not just the men - all Michigan alum.
Here's to a renewed rivalry of meaning, but until then...
Roll Tide.
Someone else should feel feel free to start the new era's thread. I don't want to taint it.
This is the happiest non-WS-clinching sports day for me in about a decade.
This is the happiest non-WS-clinching sports day for me in about a decade.
Harbaugh has a lot of work to do to build a program that will compete with the best teams in the SEC and the Pac-12. For reasons I don't fully understand, it's hard to build a championship team in the Midwest these days. Urban Meyer has done a fine job, but the Bama-tOSU game on Thursday is likely to resemble the rugby game in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.Clemente38 said:
I think he leaves that one in San Francisco. For your sake, hopefully not his heart. Nah, This guy turns the page real well, proven a few times now. Guess I watch Michigan now on Saturdays.sachmoney said:
Oops, leave it in Santa Clara.
That's a phrase he has been using his entire career as a coach. He got it from his father. (John Harbaugh uses it too.)
I would be shocked if he does not continue using it in Ann Arbor.
I would be shocked if he does not continue using it in Ann Arbor.
Let me add that I am still stunned that this is a real thing.
Given the events of four years ago and his subsequent success in the NFL, I went on record and said that Harbaugh would never coach at Michigan. Even when things began to fall into place this fall - Brandon and then Hoke being ousted, Harbaugh's tenure with the 49ers clearly coming to an end - I was extremely wary of buying into the rumors because I did not want to get crushed by the inevitable disappointment when he either won the power struggle in SF or took another pro job.
I could not be any happier to be wrong.
Given the events of four years ago and his subsequent success in the NFL, I went on record and said that Harbaugh would never coach at Michigan. Even when things began to fall into place this fall - Brandon and then Hoke being ousted, Harbaugh's tenure with the 49ers clearly coming to an end - I was extremely wary of buying into the rumors because I did not want to get crushed by the inevitable disappointment when he either won the power struggle in SF or took another pro job.
I could not be any happier to be wrong.
Someone asked him that after his presser, for what it's worth. He answered it like he does everywhere. Nooooooooobody.
I'm ecstatic. I'm a little lost for words as to how San Francisco let him go. I couldn't be happier that they let him go though. Hackett deserves immeasurable amounts of credit for making this happen. I'm not sure when I'm going to come to terms with this.
I'm ecstatic. I'm a little lost for words as to how San Francisco let him go. I couldn't be happier that they let him go though. Hackett deserves immeasurable amounts of credit for making this happen. I'm not sure when I'm going to come to terms with this.
Durkin, whose name I keep accidentally typing out as "Durking," looks like he won't be introduced until after Florida's bowl game. Meanwhile, buzz out of USC is suggesting that Tim Drevno, their OL coach, is heading to Michigan to be OC/OL coach. He worked with Harbaugh both at Stanford and San Francisco before going to USC for 2014. Also said to be joining up is John Morton, 49ers WR coach. Here's the SacBee link. With Marone stepping down at Buffalo, I wonder if Wheatley becomes available to be RB coach.
Nothing is official yet, but to update on the coaching staff. It appears that Mattison is being retained. In what capacity, it is unknown. However, he is actively recruiting current guys. If Durkin is getting the majority of the DC responsibilities, it would allow Mattison to focus on a position and recruit more, which he is quite adept at. Manning interviewed for a job on the staff yesterday, apparently. Still haven't heard whether he'll be retained, but he was our top recruiter. According to Scout, Harbaugh has offered a position to Kentucky TE Coach and recruiting cooridindator, Vince Morrow. He's recruited pretty well for being at Kentucky. Florida plays tomorrow so expect Durkin news on Monday. May be sooner?
To add on to what has been communicated re staff, Ferrigno will not be back as TE coach, and Freddie Jackson will remain with the program, but his role (non-coaching?) hasn't been announced.
So... Drevno, Durkin (presumed) as coordinators. Mattison back (LBs? DL?), Morton (WR), Manning (?).
Offer out to Marrow (Ferrigno replacement or RBs, according to an article posted on mlive.com). Need a RB or TE coach, DB coach, ST coach, OL coach (Andy Moeller's name being tossed around, along with Oklahoma OL coach, if Drevno doesn't do double-duty at this position).
I'm assuming Harbaugh takes the QB's.
Mattison, Manning, Drevno considered good/very good recruiters. Marrow supposedly has done a good job in OH. Durkin will have some links to FL, Harbaugh to CA. Should have decent reach into some of the most fertile states.
Harbaugh also opened up his Twitter account: @CoachJim4UM
So... Drevno, Durkin (presumed) as coordinators. Mattison back (LBs? DL?), Morton (WR), Manning (?).
Offer out to Marrow (Ferrigno replacement or RBs, according to an article posted on mlive.com). Need a RB or TE coach, DB coach, ST coach, OL coach (Andy Moeller's name being tossed around, along with Oklahoma OL coach, if Drevno doesn't do double-duty at this position).
I'm assuming Harbaugh takes the QB's.
Mattison, Manning, Drevno considered good/very good recruiters. Marrow supposedly has done a good job in OH. Durkin will have some links to FL, Harbaugh to CA. Should have decent reach into some of the most fertile states.
Harbaugh also opened up his Twitter account: @CoachJim4UM
Durkin confirmed as DC and LB coach. Drevno as OC/OL. Baxter as ST. Greg Jackson as DB. Mattison as DL. Those are what we pretty much know.
Wheatley was offered the RB job and it would appear likely that Manning is retained in some capacity. That would make 7 out of the NCAA limit of 9. Also, Tolbert was hired as S&C coach.
Wheatley was offered the RB job and it would appear likely that Manning is retained in some capacity. That would make 7 out of the NCAA limit of 9. Also, Tolbert was hired as S&C coach.
Interested to see how he does. He had a lot of "challenges" (rookie QB, youthful offense in general) in Jacksonville. He's risen through the ranks to get that job too and he's only 38. I don't think that he will be at Michigan for too long either and I anticipate that Harbaugh and Drevno will have the most influence on the offense. If this is the most "questionable" hire by Harbaugh, he's doing pretty damn well.RedOctober3829 said:
Per mgoblog.com:
Offensive Staff
OC Drevno
QB Harbaugh
RB Wheatley (have seen a couple tweets/posts confirming)
WR/PGC Fisch
OL Drevno
TE Dougherty (from San Jose St.)
Defensive Staff
DC Durkin
DL Mattison
LB Durkin
DB Jackson
OLB/DE Manning
ST Baxter
S&C Tolbert
I would say only Dougherty, plus Manning's position assignment are unconfirmed at this point.
With the exception of Mattison and Baxter, this is a young, talented staff with an interesting mix of pro and college experience.
Giddy up!
Offensive Staff
OC Drevno
QB Harbaugh
RB Wheatley (have seen a couple tweets/posts confirming)
WR/PGC Fisch
OL Drevno
TE Dougherty (from San Jose St.)
Defensive Staff
DC Durkin
DL Mattison
LB Durkin
DB Jackson
OLB/DE Manning
ST Baxter
S&C Tolbert
I would say only Dougherty, plus Manning's position assignment are unconfirmed at this point.
With the exception of Mattison and Baxter, this is a young, talented staff with an interesting mix of pro and college experience.
Giddy up!
Michigan also picked up the commitment of Nolan Ulizio, who was previously committed to UConn. He's a two star OL recruit out of West Chester, Ohio.
This last week is going to be huge. Harbaugh is with Chris Clark today and Clark would be one of the biggest pick ups. He's a tight end that is between Michigan and UCLA. Considering Harbaugh's penchant for producing tight ends (Ertz, Fleener), you'd have to like our chances, but UCLA just won't go away and his whole family went and enjoyed their trip there this past weekend. I love UCLA's campus, so I wouldn't blame him if he ended up in Westwood.
On Monday, Harbaugh visited with Iman Marshall who is the top cornerback in the country. From every thing I've read, Marshall is USC bound, but it would be a huge get to get him. Having a defensive backfield of Lewis-Peppers-XXXX-Marshall would be immense. There's been a lot of talk that his style of play fits the Big Ten better. Marshall is the top guy that I want personally.
Another prospect that will be deciding on signing day is Roquon Smith. I haven't really seen Michigan offer up many linebackers and the kid has a very good relationship with DJ Durkin. This is the guy I strangely feel most confident in getting of these three. However, I still don't feel like Michigan is the favorite.
There are a lot of offers out there. A lot of guys visiting. Michigan hosted Tyrone Wheatley Jr. last night. There's a lot up in the air. We only have 9 commits. I think that we realistically end up with 13-14 guys. It's a matter of who those guys are.
This last week is going to be huge. Harbaugh is with Chris Clark today and Clark would be one of the biggest pick ups. He's a tight end that is between Michigan and UCLA. Considering Harbaugh's penchant for producing tight ends (Ertz, Fleener), you'd have to like our chances, but UCLA just won't go away and his whole family went and enjoyed their trip there this past weekend. I love UCLA's campus, so I wouldn't blame him if he ended up in Westwood.
On Monday, Harbaugh visited with Iman Marshall who is the top cornerback in the country. From every thing I've read, Marshall is USC bound, but it would be a huge get to get him. Having a defensive backfield of Lewis-Peppers-XXXX-Marshall would be immense. There's been a lot of talk that his style of play fits the Big Ten better. Marshall is the top guy that I want personally.
Another prospect that will be deciding on signing day is Roquon Smith. I haven't really seen Michigan offer up many linebackers and the kid has a very good relationship with DJ Durkin. This is the guy I strangely feel most confident in getting of these three. However, I still don't feel like Michigan is the favorite.
There are a lot of offers out there. A lot of guys visiting. Michigan hosted Tyrone Wheatley Jr. last night. There's a lot up in the air. We only have 9 commits. I think that we realistically end up with 13-14 guys. It's a matter of who those guys are.
The Weber situation is strange. He was committed to Michigan until Hoke was fired. He decommitted and committed to Ohio State while Michigan had its dark period (well, besides the last seven years). Since Harbaugh took over, Weber has been a priority. Both Wheatley and Harbaugh have been working the kid hard. For good reason, he looks like someone who will be a very good college player and has excellent speed, something none of the current guys have (good in their own right though). While he has been open to overtures from the Michigan staff, even meeting with Harbaugh yesterday, he has refused to take an Official to Michigan. My hunch is that Ohio State may pull his offer if he visits or something else like that is going on. At the very least, he's tried to play that political game as best as he can. I would love Weber to be in this class. His speed makes him different from what we have. I think he can get a significant number of carries per game as a freshman and have an impact as long as we get that OL set.Dick Pole Upside said:
I'm curious to hear what Blue fans think of DeWeaver's recent de-commit. I don't see that he has yet announced a commitment elsewhere.