Will this Jim Harbaugh be on the sidelines this year?
Photo: AP file photo, The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr
Photo: AP, Matt Sayles
Photo: AP
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
gif at link:
https://media.giphy.com/media/B6V98rASYYDUQ/giphy.gif
gif at link:
https://media.giphy.com/media/8BL14prNxJ3BS/source.gif
gif at link, worth seeing!
https://media.giphy.com/media/wYpd9FfqAUvcs/giphy.gif
20 days till wee see this!
Photo: TheComeback.com
August 12th, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^
Time to fuck shit up
August 12th, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^
I really hope so. Because that’s the real Jim Harbaugh not the one we saw last year.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
the man knows what kind of team he has had in terms of potential, every year, for the past 20+ years.
He only acts "normal" when he knows he can back it up.
August 13th, 2018 at 7:50 AM ^
I've wondered since the team's trip to Italy if JH's meeting with the Pope changed him, at least for one season.
August 13th, 2018 at 9:30 AM ^
This is a great point. It did seem to impact him profoundly.
Jack did mention in one of the AttackEachDay podcast episodes he felt the sideline rule played a big role in his demeanor change as Jim didn’t want to negatively impact the team.
either way, we want firey Jim back (insert hat throwing GIF from Fowling in Detroiters)
August 12th, 2018 at 6:54 PM ^
I don't care if he looks like that. I just want to see us win and humiliate our opponents. Jim can be as calm as a church woman if we achieve the same results.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:56 PM ^
Well isnt that special
August 12th, 2018 at 8:43 PM ^
Maybe he needs some motivation by...Satan!
August 13th, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
My lack of "thumbs" is really bothering me now....
August 12th, 2018 at 10:46 PM ^
This is how I feel, too. Look at cheating Tressel. He was calm most of the time and won a shit ton of games. Being crazy on the sidelines can sometimes help and is certainly entertaining, but it’s not necessary. Just call good plays and execute them.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:02 PM ^
If not, we're doomed.
Though in all seriousness, I really think he was subdued last year because he was preoccupied with baby Jack's health rather than because of any "new rules."
August 12th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
IIRC his dad asked him to. I think its on one of their podcasts.
August 13th, 2018 at 8:25 AM ^
They do discuss it on one of the podcasts. I believe they talk about how other coaches get away with more antics, specifically citing Urban. They kind of lend way to the notion that the refs have it out for Jim. I believe that's the main reason he calmed it down, as to not negatively impact the team with a penalty.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:21 PM ^
I was thinking he was a lot more mellow for the filming of that Netflix show. I hope he returns to his usual self because the segment “One Frame At A Time” wasn’t nearly as entertaining as before.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:25 PM ^
I 100% agree. I feel like this is totally under appreciated. I’ve wondered how much what seemed the lack of fire that he usually has was due to the baby. As a dad who had twins in the NICU for over a month (healthy just too early to come home) it’s really emotionally and physically draining.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:02 PM ^
One of JJH’s best attributes, in my mind, is his ability to self-evaluate in an accurate and honest way. I really believe he will bring an improved attitude and mindset to his leadership of the team this year. Nobody is perfect. The important thing is continuous improvement and relentless pursuit of perfection.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^
What the hell is going on with this board? Holy shit.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:08 PM ^
The stuff people attribute losing to cracks me up. Yeah, it was Jim's sideline demeanor that was the problem, not being unable to find a decent QB out of 3 guys, or having a turnstile at RT all season.
Let's also not forget Harbaugh throwing his play sheets and getting a 15 yard penalty was one of the turning points of The Game '16.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
I'm amazed we've gotten this far without mention that the glasses are to blame.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:51 PM ^
This is stupid.
August 13th, 2018 at 1:38 AM ^
I agree with everything you said. But, let's get real about the biggest turning point of that game... Which was when the big ten decided it would reverse it's stance on allowing OSU fans to officiate the OSU michigan game.
August 13th, 2018 at 2:28 AM ^
Thanks. You said it way better than me.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^
Harbaugh was mellow last year in an attempt to not have the refs screw us every game.
I’m surprised more of you didn’t pick up on that.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^
"harbaugh this and harbaugh that" - haven't we covered all of this last year?
August 12th, 2018 at 7:40 PM ^
I agree with that assessment. I also think he knew he had a very young team, with the possibility that he knew he was being filmed as well. I did note quite a few opposing coaches acting quite "lively" with no repercussions..
August 12th, 2018 at 7:04 PM ^
Hope not. The most tired narrative is that his lack of animation since getting penalized in Columbus was the reason for our struggles last year.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:31 PM ^
I think that the narrative is actually that his lack of animation was a contributing factor to the lack of animation out of the team, particularly the offense. No one is dumb enough to actually think that’s the reason behind our struggles. It just certainly didn’t end up benefitting the team.
Don Brown is a crazy dude and you saw how the defense responded to that.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:46 PM ^
Beg to differ. SkyPanther is that dumb.
August 13th, 2018 at 5:45 AM ^
I’m confused. In one sentence you’re saying nobody could be dumb enough to think that Harbaugh’s lack of animation affected the team, and then in the next two you’re saying it affected the team...
August 12th, 2018 at 8:42 PM ^
Are you saying him yelling wouldn't have made JOK more accurate? Blasphemy!
August 12th, 2018 at 7:13 PM ^
The old Harbaugh is needed. Not 2017 Harbaugh.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:16 PM ^
Seriously?
August 13th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
Dead.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
Trick question. They're all the same Harbaugh.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^
Yup. And Michigan will be the surprise team this year. #defensewinschampionships
August 12th, 2018 at 7:30 PM ^
#defenseplusquarterbackthatisnotaturnovermachinewinschampionships
FIFY.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:58 PM ^
#defenseplusquarterbackthatisnotaturnovermachineandanoffensivelinethatisnotasievewinschampionships
FIFY
August 12th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
100%.
It became clear in a podcast episode that Harbaugh was actively more subdued as a result of rule changes.
Problem is, refs seem to not notice that difference and fuck with Harbaugh anyway because Harbaugh.
It’s not worth having your team less hyped up at this point, and I think Coach has realized that. He got REALLY quiet at Media Days, which a tremendous characteristic that old Harbaugh is awake again. Can’t wait to be in South Bend to see him explode onto the field.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:48 PM ^
...in the name of competition, I fully expect Harbaugh to turn his face to the hue of Pitch Black Mountain Dew to counter Brian Kelly's weak mauve visage
August 12th, 2018 at 10:14 PM ^
That and the Amazon series. I think the fact that Amazon following them around probably kept him a little toned down also.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:28 PM ^
Yes, and were going undefeated
August 12th, 2018 at 7:30 PM ^
Maybe I am giving Harbaugh too much credit, but I think his subdued nature last year was mostly due to the youth of the team. You can get animated and scream to motivate a veteran team, but young guys tend to just screw up more when yelled at. Last year's team needed understanding and teaching to learn from their inevitable mistakes.
II' sure the rule change played a role too, but only part of it.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:47 PM ^
IIRC, the season before last, when he was full-Harbaugh on the sideline, he was always unquestioningly backing up the actions of his players and shouting down the refs to that effect.
I can't recall ever seeing him dress down a player or players on the sideline - ever. But that just may be due to BTN, FS, ESPN camera directors.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:26 PM ^
This is a good point and out of all potential reasons, this is the one I will give him the most praise for.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:36 PM ^
Maybe, maybe not
August 12th, 2018 at 7:41 PM ^
I want the animated Jim Harbaugh. I Don't think it matters with wins or losses last year or the year before. But, I just love to talk about what he does and watch the reporters lose their shit over that.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:45 PM ^
I doubt it, considering the NCAA instituted a rule last year that makes any kind of outbursts like those a personal foul and automatic 15 yard penalty.
i think the refs even slapped Meyer with one during the OSU game last year.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:54 PM ^
No, he'll be wearing different clothes, obviously.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:27 PM ^
but the same pair of khakis.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:28 PM ^
I'd like to see an alternate away uniform featuring khaki pants. You know, they've got pockets and everything.