The University of Michigan’s football program has been in the news
for some time. Not only did they have a losing season, there was also
controversy regarding backup quarterback Shane Morris’s concussion. Then, among
all the controversy, athletic director Dave Brandon resigned. Michigan’s
president Mark S Schlissel then replaced him with interim A.D. Jimmy Hackett.
And after the last game of the season, a loss to Ohio State, Hackett terminated
Brady Hoke’s contract.
At this point, there has been speculation about Jim Harbaugh, the
current 49er head coach, returning to Michigan. Jim attended high school in Ann
Arbor, Michigan and in Palo Alto, California. His father Jack was an assistant
coach at both universities. Jim then attended the University Michigan and was a
three-year starter. As a fifth-year senior in 1986, co-captain Harbaugh led
Michigan to 1987 Rose Bowl, and was in the running for the Heisman. His head
coach at Michigan was the legend Bo Schembechler. Jim Harbaugh is a Michigan
man.
It’s not surprising that Jim was also the head coach at Stanford
prior to becoming the San Francisco 49ers head coach. And Jim’s first NFL coaching
experience was being the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders. All told,
Jim also coached at the University of San Diego and even played for the San
Diego Chargers. It is clear that Jim has
a strong allegiance to the West Coast, as well as to the University Michigan.
Unfortunately, the Big Ten has lost some of its luster as a football
powerhouse conference. It is no longer the conference of Woody Hayes and Bo
Schembechler and 3 yards and a cloud of dust. In fact, early on, during this
past collegiate football season, the Big Ten did not have a team considered for
the 4 team college playoff. In fact, it wasn’t until after the last college
game, that, Ohio State made the cut. And Ohio State will play Alabama on New
Year’s Day.
Why would coach Harbaugh return to the Big Ten and coach a below
average Michigan team? Where is his heart? Is it in California or in Michigan?
It is clear, that, Ohio State’s won- lost record has been very
impressive with the exception of year 2011. And, especially from 2012 to
present under coach Urban Meyer. In fact, any one of his three starting
quarterbacks this year were superior to Michigan’s starter Devin Gardner.
Whatever Urban Meyer’s drinking, he should save some for Michigan’s
new coach. One major key for Michigan’s future success is simply recruiting
hard-nosed, tough exceptional athletes. Coach Meyer has it down. I don’t know
what his secret is, but he has one. Hopefully, Michigan can infiltrate and
learn from his model.
Back in the old days, when Bo Schembechler was the head coach, he
had Fritz Seyferth (a former walk-on player) as an assistant in the athletic director’s
office. Fritz put together an outstanding recruiting program incorporating
CEOs, titans of industry and even president Jerry Ford in the process.
It’s not enough to have football knowledge at the college level.
It’s about recruiting, recruiting and recruiting. The head coach and his staff
has to be able to relate to the players of today, and like Bo take them and
change their mindset , so that they can perform out of this world.
Jim Harbaugh are you up to this challenge? You’ve had impressive
head coach coaching records for the University of San Diego, Stanford
University and the San Francisco 49ers. We know you can coach. Happy birthday
to a young 51-year-old man. Jim you’re young, make the correct choice.
Go Blue!
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