I don't know if it is amazing or not. One thing is clear: he is a much better overall coach than Brady Hoke. Hoke could not coach properly the talent he had. But he could recruit and he left Harbaugh a load of talent on that roster. And since Harbaugh is a good coach he was able to really put Michigan back on the map quickly.
I just think there are actually many good coaches who could have done the same thing Harbaugh did given the talent he inherited. I think Harbaugh is a very good coach. Just not certain he is the messiah coach the media have hyped him up to be.
Anyway... no need to beat this to death. It is not important in the big picture.
Rome is a great city. Hope the guys enjoy it
Pennsy - the problem with your point is that it is based on something that is not measurable. How do you measure the hype for his success? Was it a 10 on the 1-10 scale of media hype and only an 8 on the fan hype scale? Did you read everything that was said about him or talk to a good cross section of Michigan fans? Do the opposite must be true as well, if there is not a lot of hype then the outcomes or expectations can be lower?
I can't say I like or dislike the guy, don't really know him that well. He does win though - everywhere he has been, that is hard to deny is it not? Not sure I would want him on my sideline but that is more my personality showing rather than being a results oriented thing. I guess you did admit that he is a "good coach" - but I assume you are saying it is the comparison he is not living up to. Now whether he reached the threshold of expectations that you have identified that others have placed, I don't know. The other problem with the hype/comparison issues are that they will continue to change.
I think you weaken your argument when you throw out there are "actually many good coaches who could have done the same thing...." You pose a straw man argument with that one. Who are these guys and how do you quantify that. Taking the logic the other way - if they did as good as Harbaugh then they must be good coaches as well based your assessment.
For me the bottom line is the guy is a proven winner. Whether I am a fan or not doesn't change that. Given the fact he has pieced together a QB system for the last two years, he has probably done well overall.