<p>UCB, you cannot compare Stanford to USC in terms of talent. Carroll did win a SB and Harbaugh made it to a SB. I think they are about the same in terms of coaching skill. I agree that Harbaugh does not smile. Maybe he will smile more at Michigan. 
He was pretty funny in his press conference today.</p>
<p>People were screaming for Hackett’s head when he had not – within 72 hours – filled the position. My take is summarized below:</p>
<p>1) nearly zero information leakage during the process;</p>
<p>2) a rumor of $8MM is used to scare away the tire-kickers;</p>
<p>3) somehow, Steve Ross recuses himself from the process to take one NFL franchise off of the board;</p>
<p>4) numerous former players come out of the weeds to support a Harbaugh hire; numerous former coaches do as well;</p>
<p>5) SF49ers note that Michigan followed their perception of protocol in the approach (to those critical of the move of hiring a search firm, that is the value added);</p>
<p>6) Brady Hoke, an important guy to the Harbaugh family is treated with respect and mentioned by Jim in a very positive way in the presser; Jim also says that the cupboard was/is not bare and there is a good foundation;</p>
<p>7) the search is wrapped up in a timely fashion given Harbaugh’s availability;</p>
<p>8) the search comes in on-time and under budget;</p>
<p>9) the candidate most people would want is hired;</p>
<p>10) the presser is well orchestrated.</p>
<p>From now on, you can call Hackett “The Conductor”.</p>
<p>^ I guess if I just signed a $48+MM contract (same salary I made while coaching at a higher level) and get the opportunity to turn my alma mater’s program around, I think I would eek out a smile too.</p>
<p>I wish, just for this thread, I could change my avatar to one of these gems:
<a href=“Reddit - Dive into anything”>http://www.reddit.com/r/photoshopbattles/comments/2h2k1i/psbattle_jim_harbaugh_throwing_a_football/</a>
<a href=“http://www.sfweekly.com/imager/jim-harbaugh-exit-chased-by-a-wolverine/b/original/3316378/6793/Harbaugh.jpeg”>http://www.sfweekly.com/imager/jim-harbaugh-exit-chased-by-a-wolverine/b/original/3316378/6793/Harbaugh.jpeg</a></p>
<p>I am just a wishful thinker jack. Once in a while, things fall into place nicely. ;)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>His contract is worth $35 million over seven years with added performance incentives, but why let facts get in the way of your narrative?</p>
“Which is why I am not sure I like the idea of Roman as our OC.”
Your wish is their command:
http://mgoblog.com/content/tim-drevno-be-michigans-offensive-coordinator
Good. We need someone who can fix our OL. If Drevno can do that, and Harbaugh can develop our QBs, we will be a very different team in 2015.
Let’s not forget that Michigan is good at other sports than just football. I hope that Hackett deals with those sports as successfully as he dealt with football.
Basketball and most other sports are doing great, but Hockey will soon require a coach to replace Berenson. Good old Red must be 75 years old. Time to bring in a younger coach.
Harbaugh is quickly assembling a winning team of coaches. I hear he is keeping Mattison as co-DC. Will likely add Durkin as his co-DC. Pretty smart move considering that Defense isn’t Harbaugh’s thing, and he will be very busy running the Offense and the QBs. Drevno is a good choice at OL, but do not expect Harbaugh to relinquish control of the play calling. Drevno will focus more on coaching the OL and strengthening our run-game, which is his speciality.
I think our team next year could be much better than people realize. Nothing is guaranteed of course, but Harbaugh has 9 months to develop our QBs, all three of which had talent but have been grossly underdeveloped. Drevno must be licking his chops with the talent we have at OL and TE. If they can improve those two positions, we should be back in the 9+ wins/season track.
Our defense has a good chance of being one of the best in the country too. We return almost all of our starters and keep Mattison on the staff for some continuity. We should have an above average run game with the depth we have at the position. Hopefully Drevno can develop the o-line and Harbaugh can make a winner out of Morris or Malzone. Maybe it’s the optimist in me but I see a good season ahead of us.
joej, I have no doubt our defense is good. It can be dominant if Peppers returns to 100% and our offense actually stays on the field beyond 3 and out. I agree that the running game will be good. Green, Isaac and Smith were all ranked among the top 10 RBs in the nation in high school. Johnson is also solid. It all depends on how well Harbaugh can develop the QBs (and do not underestimate Speight) and how well Drevno develops the OL. All depends on those two positions. If we have a semblance of a passing game, which we haven’t since 2007, and if our OL can function adequately, we will have a good-great season.
Keep in mind that even Nick Saban 7-6 went his first season, I won’t be surprised Harbaugh if goes the same his first season.
However, we need to be a an 11-2 team by 2nd year.
That’s correct ForeverAlone, the talent is there, and the coaches will know what to do, but it could (probably will) take time for the system to be put in place effectively. I think we will have more losses early in the season than late in the season.
I am so glad that Michigan didn’t settle for a second/third rate coach this time. We all have to remember that Michigan is an historic program. All historic programs have had down years. There is no reason that Michigan cannot rise to the top again. We just need to be a bit patient and let Harbaugh do his thing. He is a proven winner and will not settle for anything less.
Agreed rjk. Even powerhouses like Michigan have down years, but they always return to glory. Well, except for Notre Dame which has not won a major bowl in over 20 years.
People forget that not so long ago, Alabama was very average. From 1997-2007, Alabama was a mediocre program. Below are some of their seasons during that 11 season stretch:
1997: 4-7
1998: 7-5
2000: 3-8
2001: 7-5
2003: 4-9
2004: 6-6
2006: 6-7
2007: 7-6
LSU, which has been almost as formidable as Alabama in recent years also had a decade of mediocrity not so long ago. Below are some of their seasons during that 11 season stretch:
1989: 4-7
1990: 5-6
1991: 5-6
1992: 2-9
1993: 5-6
1994: 4-7
1995: 7-4-1
1998: 4-7
1999: 3-8
USC, same story:
1991: 3-8
1992: 6-5-1
1993: 8-5
1996: 6-6
1997: 6-5
1998: 8-5
1999: 6-6
2000: 5-7
2001: 6-6
Michigan has been mediocre for a decade too now, with the exception of 3 acceptable seasons (2006, 2007, 2011). But this will change quickly with Harbaugh. We may need one season to turn things around, but I am optimistic about the future.
Jim Harbaugh: I’ll root for Ohio State in title game
I am liking this guy already!!! lol
The Big 10 needs OSU to win. The Big 10 is no longer considered a premier conference. This year however, MSU and Wisconsin have won big in Bowl games. OSU would put an exclamation point in the Big 10’s return to prominence. I agree with Harbaugh. And the future of the Big 10 is looking good, with OSU, MSU and Wisconsin doing so well, and with Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State likely to improve drastically over the next 2-3 seasons.
I’m sorry, but I will not be cheering for tOSU Monday night. Years of cheating under Tressel have helped that’s school to become a dominant program over Michigan. I also resent the fact that JT is now being nducted into the CFHOF.