Always try to leave a place better off than you found it
That's a good rule especially for leaders. I hope that I have done that in my career, but what about JH?
When you think back to the Hoke years, yeah, he beat OSU when they were almost historically bad and even that was close. Things went downhill from there. 2016 had a great defense that was let down by a mediocre O-Line and an OK but not great quarterback. The story after those years followed that script, supposedly good QB's that didn't pan out and an O-Line that never reached its potential until 2021 (2020 never existed.
The team starting next Fall will have 2 very good QB's, an experienced O-Line, at least two great RB's, a receiver room waiting to break out, and all B1G TE's. On the defense, there are some holes, but the next man up has gotten some experience and shown flashes in either a starting or backup role.
I think that Jim has left us better off which is all any of us can hope for. I wish him all the best and am ready to move on and up.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:18 PM ^
OP says: I think that Jim has left us better off which is all any of us can hope for. I wish him all the best and am ready to move on and up.
Response = Agreed.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
We are better off. The bar was damn low though when he got here.
im surprised at how hurt so many people are on this board that he might leave. It was time for him to go last year. This year was nice, but I think we can all agree we will revert to the mean this season. His offenses haven’t change much, he had an elite defense this year. QB play continues to be mediocre. Other than solid D with two 1st rd-lineman terrorizing qbs and magician Macdonald, I’m not sure this year was much different than the rest other than beating OSU.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
I never thought coach would leave this place on his own. It's nice you feel warm and fuzzy about it. I don't share that with you. He lost way too much to our rivals and was Urban's bitch the entire time. I'm disappointed in him right now I guess.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:42 PM ^
Not sure how this advances the discussion but was just defending Harbaugh to non-Michigan forum and uncovered these stats that show how complicated his legacy as Michigan HC will be (though ultimately will be remembered positively):
EXCLUDING THE COVID YEAR Harbaugh was just 5-13 against the "Big 3" (Michigan State, Ohio State, Bowl Games), but was a ridiculous 54-7 in all other games. All 7 of those losses were on the road, and all except 2016 Iowa were against teams ranked in the top 17 of the final AP poll that season (and Iowa was ranked 21st in the final regular season poll but lost their bowl game and dropped out)
Harbaugh NEVER lost a home game at Michigan against a team other than Michigan State and Ohio State (again excluding COVID shenanigans) which seems crazy to me. He was absolutely impeccable at beating the teams Michigan should beat and until last season not great at winning the tougher games.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:01 PM ^
Was OSU this year his first upset win?
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:37 PM ^
I think ND was narrowly favored when we played them in the Big House a few years ago.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
Michigan should and can do better than this.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:51 PM ^
"The story after those years followed that script, supposedly good QB's that didn't pan out and an O-Line that never reached its potential until 2021"
Picking nits: The 2019 O-Line was almost completely excellent, especially in pass blocking. Those guys all got drafted and many have had at least solid pro careers. The offense definitely underperformed but I feel like that's mostly on the QB and the coaching staff.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
Always try to leave a place better off than you found it
You must be new to this country. That ain’t how we roll.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:38 PM ^
Jim is going out on TOP of his coaching career here at Michigan!
February 2nd, 2022 at 6:14 PM ^
Jim didn't enjoy the interview....at all. I don't think he'll be the Viking's HC.
February 2nd, 2022 at 6:16 PM ^
Harbaugh took over after one of the worst decades of Michigan football ever and if he leaves now there is a good chance he would barely leave the program in a better spot.
Sure there are some good players and staff in place now, but this is the worst possible time for Harbaugh to move on and his leaving could leave to massive player and staff departures over the next year. Not to mention that one of Jim’s best teams (2016) was largely built on Hokes recruits.
Hopefully we don’t see massive attrition and whoever takes over can keep things together, but that is a massive risk that must be accounted for when assessing how good of a place Jim is leaving the program.
February 2nd, 2022 at 6:55 PM ^
Can we get him to stay if we convince jim brandstatter to unretire?
February 2nd, 2022 at 6:55 PM ^
Can we get him to stay if we convince jim brandstatter to unretire?
