Michigan Football, Team 140, 2019 Season

[iam416]

Also of interest, PFF had Shea rated as the best QB in the B10 last year. So, next season should be really good.

[froot loops]

Patterson was good for them but he suffers from heightened expectations. People see 5 stars and expect a physical specimen to jump out at you, that isn't him. If they were smart they would run the read option a lot more, he is really good at that. I can't recall seeing a college qb holding the mesh point better. He really sells that and they should be taking advantage of that more. He's the QB RichRod needed a decade back.

[iam416]

I dunno. Steven Threet was pretty good.

[hack]

He really is. so many of those I thought would end up fumbles, he holds it there so long.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Putting hack's thoughts in the proper thread:

I'm kinda left wondering what's the point of Harbaugh anymore. What happened to the guy who had such a unique and effective take on offense? He isn't coaching up QBs into magic, he's not dialing up a weirdly effective Bo 2.0 offense, and his guys aren't outcompeting other teams on the field. Nor have we seen that he's particularly good at in-game decisionmaking. He's moving to that delegation model of coaching, which just doesn't seem like it plays to his as-advertised strengths. I'm glad things are trending toward sanity with the football program, but unclear why they were insane in the first place and less likely to imagine that it all blossoms into joy one day.

This thinking is worth considering. A couple of thoughts. Who might replace him? Harbaugh brings a combination of integrity and football savy that's hard to find out there. Sure, M could bring in some young gun - and there are a few out there - but I think JH is a good fit and a lot better than anyone else I can think of off hand at the moment.

Fans are quick to bail when expectations aren't met. I dipped my toe in those waters and I still have half a toe in them. I've got my reasons and they are personal and go beyond what we're seeing on the field. But I think, in general, football programs are much better off with a planned and organized departure of a HC and his staff. It's disruptive even then and more so if it's done in a knee jerk fashion. So, when you're left "wondering what's the point of Harbaugh anymore," the point of if not Harbaugh then who has to be considered; the impact of the disruptive nature of a knee jerk reaction on Harbaugh's part, like, "I'm sick of this, fuck it, I'm out," would be bad news for M football.

While you might say that what has happened in the off season is encouraging, these moves by Harbaugh, could signal he is planning an exit back to the NFL. That kind of move could be precipitated by getting M to the CFP, maybe winning it all or losing to ND, MSU and osu in 2019 and bailing. I could see it, either way. So, Hack, your question could be prescient.

[froot loops]

People should be careful in diagnosing why the hiring of Harbaugh was such a big deal, it was almost certainly not because he was going to coach QBs into magic, making them weirdly effective Bo 2.0 or that he would get them outcompeting everyone. Those three things were more reasons given why the Big Ten was screwed after Michigan hired Harbaugh. The three reasons why the hiring of Harbaugh was a home run.

1. He was a big name with a larger than life persona.
2. He had success at the NFL and College level. This made him one of the more appealing coaches for any job.
3. He was a Michigan Man

Those were the factors, #3 being the most important. Harbaugh is amazing for the bottom line. How or if they ever reach the top is interesting for old guys on a message board interested in football minutia, but it is not that important. Contrary to Jeff's point fans aren't actually that quick to bail. As long he continues to meet those three reasons I listed, he is in good shape. He's always going to be a Michigan Man, so all he really needs to do is make some headlines and get 9 or 10 wins a year.

[THE_WIZARD_]

He was hired because he is HARBAUGH!!!!!!!

[froot loops]

true

[Jeff Buchanan]

Froot, frankly, I don't believe whether JH stays or goes is in M's hands. I do think, as similarly in ufm's case, Harbaugh doesn't like fan criticism or media criticism fueled by it. He could bolt because he's sick of it and the impact on his life and his family. He could win the CFP and say, fuck all you critics, I did it, mission accomplished, now I'm gone.

My position renders all your notions of what JH has to do to keep his job moot. He's the type of guy that is clearly his own man; he will leave when he wants to and on his terms...... pretty much like ufm. Peas in a pod.

[froot loops]

He's not going anywhere Jeff. Bank it.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I like your certainty.

I'd say there is only a a slim change he's going to pull up his tent pegs and move on. So, I basically agree with you. Nobody thought he'd leave the NFL when storm clouds developed at SF. Most sports talking heads gave Michigan overture rumors (Hackett was notoriously secretive in M's interest in hiring JH) little credence. Most thought he'd go to someplace like the Rams, staying on the WC. He didn't. That's because he's quirky, unpredictable and that makes up the "slim chance" that I think he might leave.

[hack]

People should be careful in diagnosing why the hiring of Harbaugh was such a big deal, it was almost certainly not because he was going to coach QBs into magic, making them weirdly effective Bo 2.0 or that he would get them outcompeting everyone.

I don't see why that can be said with any degre of certainty, though your reasons are also valid. Can we agree that Harbaugh was not hired based on a "CEO model" in which he trusts the Xs and Os and position coaching to assistants? Did it not seem like he was going to be more handson than that, and he is no longer going to be?

[Jeff Buchanan]

................ Can we agree that Harbaugh was not hired based on a "CEO model" in which he trusts the Xs and Os and position coaching to assistants? Did it not seem like he was going to be more handson than that, and he is no longer going to be?

I can agree that meeting the "CEO model" (as I think you are defining it) was not in the job requirements for M's football HC position that Jim Hackett probably had in mind.

When Harbaugh moved from coaching college ball at Stanford to SF's HC, IMO, he probably became a CEO type. NFL HC positions in successful franchises require that kind of management style I would think. NFL coaches definitely have input on Xs and Os as well as Jimmy's and Joe's although the degree of the later probably varies. But they still have to deliver performance, delegate duties and hold subordinates accountable.

I actually think Harbaugh is probably really good at that having learned that skill during his coaching career. He would not have moved up if he hadn't been seen by owners and hi-level management as being good at that .... getting results, holding subordinates accountable ..... all the things a good CEO has to be able to do and do well. Pretty sure Hackett saw JH as more of great fit at M for a lot of reasons, the primary one probably being integrity, than a great Xs and Os guy. I also think that Hackett saw JH's management skills as a big plus but not the primary reason to go after him.

But, no, I can't agree he wasn't hired as a CEO. That he probably was a pretty good CEO type at SF probably was a positive element but the fit thing, his history with the program, those were bigger factors, IMO. I also don't think it means a great deal in terms of M's 2019 on-field performance that it looks like he'll be playing a more hands-off role. I'm still not sure that's where he's headed. Just speculating but not only do I believe he knows he has to upgrade his offense but also I think he realizes that the 2018 season in-game play calling process won't support a more up-temp offense. That needs to be upgraded as well.

[THE_WIZARD_]

[froot loops]

The CEO model is better, the two best coaches in football are Bill Belichick and Nick Saban and they run the CEO model. They are involved in every aspect, but they allow the assistants to call the plays. You can still be hands on. What you don't want is the late era Bobby Bowden CEO approach.