Michigan Football, 2021 Season

[lineygoblue]

Recruiting good RB's hasn't been a problem. The guys Michigan has signed are good RB's. Especially the last two recruiting classes.

The problem is opening running lanes for them, and getting them to run into the hole when its there.

The one good thing I remember about Hart's playing days, is that he would run hard into where the play was designed. He didn't do a lot of juking and dancing. He played like he thought he was 6'2" and 230. A little of that mentality among Michigan's RB's wouldn't hurt.

Other than that, keep him away from microphones. We've had too many big mouths talking crap. Talk is cheap. Put up or shut up.

[WM Wolverine]

Talent was an issue till Haskins, Charbonnet, Corum, Edwards, etc. arrived and M hasn't recruited the blue chip OL to replace their ~4 NFL types that graduated in '19.

[WingsFan]

Michigan will have to pay Florida a $75,000 buyout as part of Robinson's contract with Florida, which has a buyout clause for 50% of the remaining value of the deal if he accepts a non-coordinator or head coach role at an SEC program and 25% of the remaining value of his deal if he accepts a non-coordinator or head coach role at a non-SEC program. Robinson received a raise prior to the 2020 season, bumping his annual salary to $300,000.

Robinson has been an assistant coach at Florida for three years


His connection to Michigan is with new Michigan defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald, who served as linebackers coach at Georgia from 2011-13 while working for Grantham. Robinson played linebacker there from 2009-12 and served as a defensive graduate assistant in 2013.


Robinson another quite young, voracious recruiter. He joins Macdonald and former Michigan RB Mike Hart

[lineygoblue]

Seems the trend is toward younger coaches, who are a bit inexperienced. Not a sign that Harbaugh plans to be around for long, IMO.

Mike Hart is trying to position himself to be Michigan's HC someday. He's probably going to have to do a HC stint at a smaller school and have some success first, but he appears to be trying to build a resume. I'm not saying I like the idea. In fact, I don't. But, that is what appears to be going on.

[WingsFan]

Not a sign that Harbaugh plans to be around for long, IMO.

Interesting point, repeating what I have read -


1 That he's betting on himself to get it right.


2 He didn't get any offers from NFL worthy


3 Make or break year

[WM Wolverine]

Harbaugh will continue to lead M to 8-4, 9-3 seasons and lose his last two games of the season with these staff changes.

[lineygoblue]

Harbaugh will continue to lead M to 8-4, 9-3 seasons and lose his last two games of the season with these staff changes.

So you're saying he's doing what is expected of him. I agree. Although, I think 8 wins in 2021 is out of the question. I think 6-6 will be over achieving.

[WingsFan]

Harbaugh will continue to lead M to 8-4, 9-3 seasons and lose his last two games of the season with these staff changes.

Yeah that's the probable outcome he just wont be making any money compared to before.



John U Bacon - The odds might be against Harbaugh, but he loves to prove his doubters wrong, and he has a long history of doing so. But whether he turns the Wolverines around or not, college football just took a small step toward sanity.

https://www.thepostgame.com/jim-harbaugh-contract-michigan-football-buyout-extension

[WingsFan]

So it looks like MacDonald will be the DC


Mike Hart - 34 years old

Mike MacDonald - 33 years old

Christian Robinson- 30 years old


Coaches Out

Mike Zordich - 57 years old

Ben McDaniels - 40 years old

Don Brown - 65 (?) years old

[lineygoblue]

Definitely a youth movement of sorts. Maybe there's a method to the madness. New ideas, and all that.

Meh... we'll see.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm watching. The Freep had a story today on "Captain Comeback." I read it. Harbaugh was a tough guy as a player and a motivator as a coach. No doubt about it. Somewhere along the way at M he lost his way. I don't care about counting the reasons. It is what it is and as I said in the NFL thread, It sucks to be an M fan right now celebrating the greatness of former M players in the NFL ..... Henne was one of those guys you could cheer for. He had toughness.

As for Harbaugh, I'm not confident he can find a way to punch above the level of recruiting and player development that the program has been absolutely mediocre if not entirely below average. I wasn't terribly impressed with Gattis. The speed in space hype never materialized. It was still a plodding, predictable and unexciting offense. I think the skill level present on the field was horribly underutilized and unimaginative. Harbaugh with his thumb in the pie? Maybe. QB'ing that never panned out for whatever reason? Absolutely.

Don Brown may be gone but Don Brown, IMO, was not the entire problem. His defenses, however, were emblematic. Today, it became official. The Ravens are out of the playoffs and Ravens LB coach, Mike Macdonald, is M's new DC. He joins (officially because McDonald was Brown's anointed replacement starting two weeks ago) the guy from UF, Christian Robinson on defense. Mike Zordich, who by all accounts was a very good coach, is gone and his replacement is yet to be named. Then, on offense there is Mike Hart who I think is a great hire.

There's a youth movement on the coaching staff for sure as Linesman has pointed out. I have no idea what this means or if it translates to better recruiting and better on field performance resulting from better relationships with 19-21 year old players.

Anyway, it's change and Harbaugh seems to be energized by it, challenged by the criticism (and the huge pay-cut he took) from fans. According to the Freep story, Captain Comeback may have arrived. OTH, I've been though this so many times in the last 15 years, it's terribly difficult to be enthused and willing to commit dollars and time to following what will most likely be a story of Captain Flame-out.

[Jeff Buchanan]

...... reports are circulating that Mullen has matched M's offer and is trying to keep Christian Robison on staff at UF.

[iam416]

Boy, if HARBAUGH!!!! is donning the CAPTAIN COMEBACK!!!! cape then I'm just gonna go start LIFE IN THE SHADOW!!!! right now. NFL, INC!!!! is back, baby!

[Jeff Buchanan]

It's a story. That's all but the cape thing? I hope to god that doesn't come to pass. Just do football things.

[JRB]

Zach Charbonnet has entered the transfer portal. Best of luck to him-- I imagine he'll have no shortage of opportunities.