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| Jim Harbaugh |
Michigan fans are buying the hype – almost 50% of them think Jim Harbaugh will be the next Michigan head coach. Greg Schiano is ranked too high at 2%, though, people.
Other: 41%
Wolverine Historian posted a couple Jim Harbaugh tribute videos a few days ago. I have no idea why there’s this sudden interest in Harbaugh. Oh, well. On with the show!
Hit the jump for the second video.
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| Jim Harbaugh |
Jim Harbaugh
Age: 50
Current position: San Francisco 49ers head coach
Salary: $5,000,000 per year
Head coaching experience: 43-16 at San Francisco 49ers (2011-present), 29-21 at Stanford (2007-2010), 29-6 at University of San Diego (2004-2006), 101-43 overall
History: Jim was born in Toledo, grew up in Ann Arbor while his father was an assistant at Michigan, and graduated high school in Palo Alto, CA. He then came back to Michigan as a quarterback, started for his final three seasons, was named Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior, and was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He became a Pro Bowl quarterback with the Indianapolis Colts in 1995. When his career was finished, he coached quarterbacks at Western Kentucky and for the Oakland Raiders before getting the head coaching job at the University of San Diego, where he went 11-1 in each of his last two seasons. He proceeded to improve a moribund Stanford football program from 4-8 in his first year to 12-1 in his final year there. That turned into being hired by the 49ers, for whom he has reached the Super Bowl and two other NFC Championship games. They are 7-5 so far this season, but there are rumblings of discontent from the front office and ownership.
My thoughts: Harbaugh is as intense of a coach as they come, and that’s not always the way to go about dealing with NFL players. Frankly, it rubs people the wrong way – at all levels – but millionaires don’t like to be treated like college kids. On the flip side, college kids are playing for the love of the game or with a desire to make it to the next level, so they can handle a little more in-your-face intensity. Harbaugh is a proven winner as a player, a college coach, and an NFL coach, and Michigan would be in excellent hands with him. He recruited well at Stanford, and he would be recruiting the same types of players at Michigan – high character, smart athletes who are hard-nosed and disciplined. Furthermore, Harbaugh would have a full complement of returning linemen, tight ends, and running backs as a coach who places a premium on running the ball. The defense is solid, too. The only huge question mark is at quarterback.
Likelihood of coming to Michigan: Some outlets are reporting that it is likely, and some are reporting that it is unlikely. Rivals, on the one hand, is keeping fans’ hopes up, but they are somewhat notorious for sending out positive vibes to keep readers happy. NFL people are saying he wants to stay in the NFL. I really have no idea whether he’ll come back to Ann Arbor or not, but money would not be an issue (numbers like $8,000,000 per year have been thrown around), he doesn’t seem likely to stay in San Francisco, and other potential destinations right now include the moribund Raiders and Jets franchises.
My wish list:
1. Jim Harbaugh
2. Bob Stoops
3. Dan Mullen
4. Les Miles
5. Greg Schiano
6. Tom Herman
7. Pat Narduzzi
8. Mike Shanahan
Michigan had excellent representation in last year’s Super Bowl, but this year, the Maize and Blue presence will be felt more strongly on the sidelines than on the football field. Four former Michigan athletes will take part in Super Bowl XLVII, which will be played between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens on February 3, but only one will be playing in the game.
Jonathan Goodwin (1999-2002) is the starting center for one of the league’s top offensive lines and a team that is coached by former Michigan player and graduate assistant, Jim Harbaugh (5,449 passing yards and 31 touchdowns from ’83-’86). Of course, WR Mario Manningham (137 receptions for 2,310 yards and 35 touchdowns from ’05-’07) is also a 49er and has a shot at a second straight Super Bowl ring, but he won’t play in the game due to a torn ACL that was suffered late in the season.
On the other side of the ball, Andy Moeller (linebacker from ’83-’86 and TE, OT and OL coach from ’00 – ’07) coaches the offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens. Their defensive backs coach Teryl Austin also coached at Michigan as a defensive assistant from 1999 – 2002, although he never played for the Wolverines.
Jim Harbaugh played a long time ago, and I don’t have any memories of his time at U of M. People tell me he was fairly good.
What I do remember are the disparaging remarks that he made about Michigan academics right around the time I began packing my bags for Ann Arbor. Those comments did not endear him to me.
But regardless of anyone’s feelings toward Harbaugh, he is a second generation Michigan Man and a former three-year starting quarterback who had a “special relationship“* with Bo Schembechler. Harbaugh’s Michigan roots run deep, and his experience as a Wolverine can arguably be called the single most important factor in his development as a coach. And everyone agrees that Harbaugh is a good coach.
After defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 27-24, in the NFC Championship Game, Harbaugh and his 49ers open as 4.5 point favorites against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
I’ll be rooting for him.
*Freep article
Honorable mention: Center Jonathan Goodwin anchored a 49er offensive line that paved the way for 149 rushing yards while giving up only one sack. Goodwin already has one Super Bowl ring as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
