Harbaugh, 6 more years @ Michigan ?

[concrete17_rivals]

Just saw a tweet by Bruce Feldman of the College Football Insider for The Athletic, that "Harbaugh's new deal will get wrapped up soon with an extension thru 2026" (?)
........If true better call out the National Guards in Columbus OH-ho to control the rowdy celebrating crowds,

 

[hdhntr1]

Just saw a tweet by Bruce Feldman of the College Football Insider for The Athletic, that "Harbaugh's new deal will get wrapped up soon with an extension thru 2026" (?)
........If true better call out the National Guards in Columbus OH-ho to control the rowdy celebrating crowds,

It is an extension but not a six year. He still had several on the exisitng contract didn't he? But now it will be even more expensive to get rid of him

 

[zeek55]

He's a good cfb coach.

Honestly, the problem with trying to replace guys like him are that it's hard to figure out who's a step up. He obviously caught fire in a bottle at Stanford and was unable to replicate that in Michigan to this point. Michigan also has Ohio State performing at a literal all-time peak right now in the same division while the Pac-12 was pretty open for Stanford to burst through.

Look at Texas replacing Herman with Sarkisian who really didn't do anything of note when he was an HC. It's basically shuffling deck chairs at that point.

Herman is probably a better coach than Sarkisian but they have to make a change because donors are antsy.

Some of these tradition-rich programs need to figure out that there's only like 3 programs that are operating at an all-time level right now (Alabama/Clemson/Ohio State).

There's no coaching change that will lift Texas/Michigan or whoever else straight to that level without a long build up probably unless there's another Saban or Dabo hiding somewhere.

 

[corbi2961]

He's a good cfb coach.

Honestly, the problem with trying to replace guys like him are that it's hard to figure out who's a step up. He obviously caught fire in a bottle at Stanford and was unable to replicate that in Michigan to this point. Michigan also has Ohio State performing at a literal all-time peak right now in the same division while the Pac-12 was pretty open for Stanford to burst through.

Look at Texas replacing Herman with Sarkisian who really didn't do anything of note when he was an HC. It's basically shuffling deck chairs at that point.

Herman is probably a better coach than Sarkisian but they have to make a change because donors are antsy.

Some of these tradition-rich programs need to figure out that there's only like 3 programs that are operating at an all-time level right now (Alabama/Clemson/Ohio State).

There's no coaching change that will lift Texas/Michigan or whoever else straight to that level without a long build up probably unless there's another Saban or Dabo hiding somewhere.

I don’t agree on that one. Harbaugh has proven himself to be a mediocre college football coach who has experienced success when he has had outstanding staffs that surround him but has struggled otherwise. Michigan is in a tough spot because Harbaugh is a Michigan legend which makes him difficult to fire even though he probably deserves it. A guy like Matt Campbell would be a much better option at this point for them.

 

[NUCat320]

I don’t agree on that one. Harbaugh has proven himself to be a mediocre college football coach who has experienced success when he has had outstanding staffs that surround him but has struggled otherwise. Michigan is in a tough spot because Harbaugh is a Michigan legend which makes him difficult to fire even though he probably deserves it. A guy like Matt Campbell would be a much better option at this point for them.

Who was on his staff at Stanford?

Michigan hasn’t had a good quarterback for years, it seems. Gotta find some.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Who was on his staff at Stanford?

Michigan hasn’t had a good quarterback for years, it seems. Gotta find some.

When they exploded in 2010, it was David Shaw and Vic Fangio. Harbaugh then immediately left and Shaw took over.

That 2010 team also had Andrew Luck, Doug Baldwin, Zach Ertz, Coby Fleener, Richard Sherman, David DeCastro, and maybe 5-10 others who got a few years in the NFL.

 

[corbi2961]

Who was on his staff at Stanford?

Michigan hasn’t had a good quarterback for years, it seems. Gotta find some.

Lots of guys. Let’s start with Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator.

 

[zeek55]

I don’t agree on that one. Harbaugh has proven himself to be a mediocre college football coach who has experienced success when he has had outstanding staffs that surround him but has struggled otherwise. Michigan is in a tough spot because Harbaugh is a Michigan legend which makes him difficult to fire even though he probably deserves it. A guy like Matt Campbell would be a much better option at this point for them.

Campbell is probably a better coach than Harbaugh, especially at maximizing talent, but it's not at all clear to me that he or really anybody else is the answer at some of these programs.

Some of the success that these coaches find at "lesser" programs like Iowa State or a MAC program or UCF is not transplantable to bigger names.

Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State are operating at this level because 3 outstanding HCs raised the bar at the programs (Alabama/Ohio State were admittedly already 2 of the best programs in the country at least brand-wise prior): Saban at Ohio State, Dabo at Clemson, and Urban at Ohio State. They supercharged those programs recruiting-wise to the point where Alabama basically has the best class every year, and then Clemson/Ohio State are right next to Alabama. With no falloff. And they deliver on development and have great staffs (even at a place like Alabama where it's a revolving door). But it all comes back to Saban, Dabo, Urban for building that.

Campbell is a solid coach, but there's no evidence he's one of those guys who can build a "permanent" playoff contender. I think he's like Herman, a solid coach. But is he going to take Michigan from 8-10 wins to 12 wins annually?

I mean Campbell has lost to Iowa every year he's been there. Even with Iowa State's greatest team ever (nvm they didn't play). How would losing to Ohio State every year go if he's not one of Michigan's own?

A lot of these programs like Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, USC, are living on a dream that they're one coaching change away from 12 win seasons every year.

The world is a lot flatter. There's no reason why anybody should think Nebraska is a better program than us or Wisconsin. Based on what? Wins in the 70s-90s?

 

[BretEpic]

Who was on his staff at Stanford?

Michigan hasn’t had a good quarterback for years, it seems. Gotta find some.

He arrives next year

 

[mickbula]

What is Michigan thinking? Isn't this the definition of insanity? It just hasn't worked out? Why aren't they looking at other options? I simply don't get it. This is just acknowledging that osu and msu will continue to beat them for another 6 yrs and that the ad/mich boosters are ok with it?? I am a Mich native/detroit and I used to root for M b4 harba arrived in all games other than vs NU. Now, it just seems like an exercise in futility. Osu and msu/all other big programs must just be tickled about this development

 

[CSCatFan1]

He arrives next year

Pretty sure he arrives in a couple of weeks.

 

[Deeringfish]

I think Harbaugh is his own worst enemy. His crazy antics and weird style of communication leaves those around unsure about what's important now.

 

[BretEpic]

Pretty sure he arrives in a couple of weeks.

Touche lol

 

[Sheffielder]

To me the mark of a good college coach is the ability to develop players and appreciate them for the 18-21 year olds that they truly are. This is why I think guys like Charlie Weis and Lovie have failed at the college level - sure if you have a never-ending stream of top 1% gifted athletes who understand everything you're trying to do without much explanation, then great...but at some point as you cycle through senior classes every year, you're going to run into unprepared QBs or linemen or whomever who aren't ready for the pro style you just expect them to understand. Yes Alabama defies this theory, and USC before this...but there is a reason those programs are so few and far between.

Harbaugh is interesting to me because obviously his football IQ is through the roof and he has what seems to be a laser-like focus that is so extreme it alienates people after a while. One would assume his uncanny ability to recruit would actually translate to the developing players thing, but maybe not.

At some level we have to applaud Michigan for doubling down here, especially for anyone criticizing programs who flip coaches every few years.