Brian seems to think Harbaugh is experiencing mental decline
On the Mgopodcast today Brian directly said "Harbaugh is not the coach he used to be". He was asked if he meant that he misses the "old ranting, screaming, throwing things Harbaugh?". Brian said he misses "organized Harbaugh" and immediately followed that up by saying "he was in the NFL for 15 years... that takes a toll". He wasn't pressed on what he meant exactly but in the context of the discussion it seemed clear to me that Brian thinks JH is going through some sort of mental decline from playing football and it's manifesting itself in his reduced capacity to effectively lead a major college football team. If you think I'm full of shit I'd suggest listening for yourself. It starts at 13:20 of today's podcast.
I was surprised to hear Brian make this kind of statement given his refusal to write anything on the game or the coaching staff today (which I don't blame him for).
September 24th, 2019 at 10:09 AM ^
Well if one 15 yard penalty for throwing his play sheet has completely transformed Harbaugh's personality then we are even more fucked then I thought. I am not sure what is more dumb, that people believe that is the problem or that Harbaugh actually had that big a transformation over 1 penalty flag.
September 24th, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
That might have been the culmination. There were many other things, including the NCAA changing rules to slow him down and protect the SEC (satellite camps ring a bell)? I just hope that he's not reaching the same conclusion that Coach Beilein did, that it's not worth the effort to play the game fair and clean and still compete.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:25 PM ^
Maybe we can get One of those doctors that diagnosis a celebrity without ever physically evaluating them.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:37 PM ^
I recommend the guy who diagnosed Nixon as having Asperger's.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:39 PM ^
AIDS big time?
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:52 PM ^
Which type of AIDS, Mantis? There are two AIDS - the vagina AIDS and then the needle based AIDS! You look like the vagina type.
September 24th, 2019 at 12:06 AM ^
AIDS! Everybody out of the pool!
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:53 PM ^
See, here, in this context...funny as hell!
September 24th, 2019 at 12:03 AM ^
AIDS is always funny, like poops!
September 24th, 2019 at 8:39 AM ^
I seriously could not believe the Always Sunny waterpark AIDS episode even as I was watching it. It was official at that point, nothing was off limits on Always Sunny.
Big premiere tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
September 24th, 2019 at 9:19 AM ^
I know, they pull no punches and keep pushing boundaries it's fantastic. Four episodes later they said the N-word. When you've been on for 14 seasons you A) don't care, and B) have to keep ratcheting up the depravity to remain interesting and new.
Can't wait for tomorrow.
September 24th, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
Frank makes sure to clarify that it is the "needle based" AIDS.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:25 PM ^
I have to be honest, I credit him for being the first source that I have heard think this or say this. Could it be the case? it is certainly possible. It is not a pleasant thing to speculate about, but again, that is part of Brian‘s genius. Sometimes he sees things and articulates them before anyone else. Nevertheless, this is an awful thing to speculate about someone without certainty. It is a huge risk, and if he is wrong, he could severely damage Harbaugh‘s reputation given Brian‘s influence over such a huge portion of the fanbase.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:29 PM ^
Brian is far from a genius when it comes to football
And to your last point, Harbaugh has damaged Harbaughs own reputation.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:32 PM ^
I never said that he was a genius when it comes to football - just that he sees things and articulates unique opinions that are provocative and often unusually insightful.
September 24th, 2019 at 2:56 AM ^
You’re giving him credit and calling him a genius for reckless speculation bordering on slander? Strange.
September 24th, 2019 at 7:35 AM ^
Nothing against Brian, but suggesting that an ex football player may have suffered some impact from repeated blows to the head does not seem like a huge insight.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:26 PM ^
Gotta say, if this was said I the context that has been posted, I’m quite disappointed as this is reckless speculation.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:37 PM ^
It's so reckless that my concern here is that it wasn't reckless.
What I mean is if Brian is hearing it from someone he trusts.
It's weird and confusing to me that it coincides with half the board rushing to say the same kinds of things in the wake of a terrible loss, as though they're all in on the secret.
September 24th, 2019 at 12:26 AM ^
If Brian is hearing this — and he is not — he needs to provide some sort of evidence or context. If he is not, he is being irresponsible and needs to shut his mouth.
September 24th, 2019 at 7:34 AM ^
IMO it's more of an echo chamber effect. Everyone knows he's toned it down intentionally after 2016. But in addition to that, there seems to be something less than an EUTM. I suspect the son's NICU experience (an understandably under reported significant event for JH) combined with the lack of success (from his assistants under performing) has caused a lack of conviction in his own ability to make decisions about the direction of the team - especially on offense.
Complete abandonment of everything he believes in offensively is a bit strange, tho long term I'd agree with the direction. But does JH believe in the direction of the offense? Does JH believe in his staff's (and his own) ability to recruit, retain and develop talent? After the offensive coaches shuffling, the QB underperformance I'm not sure.
And now the QB situation looks shakey - CM is hurt, Patterson looks spooked in the pocket and doesn't have a good handle on the offense, BP is in Chambana, Ill., and Milton is a project still. We're looking at getting another xfer QB, I'd guess - especially if CM can't come back and earn the trust of the coaches.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:29 PM ^
When a couple of bad losses leads to completely unsubstantiated speculation by fans who seem to live and die for college football that the coach is suffering from brain damage, it sheds some light onto how even someone as successful as Meyer can get burned out.
September 24th, 2019 at 1:30 AM ^
yeah I mean good god
who would want to be involved with this sport or this program at this point
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:29 PM ^
I miss animated JMFH on the sidelines
I miss the neck sharpie (I know he's not calling the plays now)
I miss believing we would be competitive in every game
Something has definitely change with Jim since year 2, but speculating on topics such as CTE, anti-depressants, or family issues would be irresponsible, (maybe no for common fans like ourselves), but for a highly trafficked media outlet like this blog.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:33 PM ^
I can't help but wonder if theirs people connected to the university who monitor this blog when I see comments like this.
It's our right to speculate
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:30 PM ^
If anything, I think that 15 yard penalty on him a couple years back changed him. It seemed he realized that the world was looking at him, waiting for him to do the things they expected (blowing up) and was ready to pounce on him for anything... to the detriment of the team.
I want the Jim Harbaugh who was ready to take apart Jim Schwartz (and rightfully so.)
I'm not saying Paul Chryst deserved the wrath of Harbaugh, but ever since that flag he has seemed to be a mellower coach.
Maybe Michigan means too much to him & he fears hurting the team.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:42 PM ^
This is what I go back to as well. This team was a whisper away from the playoff. In that game, Jim threw a fit and we got flagged. I don't think he forgives himself - not that it changed the outcome per se.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:31 PM ^
Too many enemies from too many fronts. I think he has shelled up.
Fan base is all over him- At San Fran and Stanford he was untouchable
The media is in unison against him. Im thoroughly convinced people picked Michigan to raise expectations on him for more fodder for criticism. Can you explain people picking a 62-39 team that lost all its defensive stars and is currently 1-14 against the power team being a favorite?? Anyone?? These guys get paid for this? He was a low key hero at his previous two stops.
MSUs most hated rival OSUs most hated rival Maybe NDs most hated rival and all the press that cover them.
Small recruiting state that you have to share and a juggernaut program you cant beat that has a hot bed to itself.
Makes me want to go into a shell to he honest.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:40 PM ^
We are not NDs most hated rival. USC or Miami is.
Shit they’re third on our pecking order of rivals.
Harbaugh brought on the scrutiny himself with his Meyer quotes and quotes about how his team should be favorites in the big this year. This fan base anointed him the Urban Meyer slayer before he ever stepped on the sideline. The chickens are coming home to roost and everyone from Harbaugh to the fan base deserves to eat some crow.
September 24th, 2019 at 12:18 AM ^
Uh, it's definitely not Miami. It's debatable as to whether Miami is even considered an official rival of Notre Dame's. Miami isn't listed on Notre Dame Football Rivalries wikipedia page, and wikipedia lists everything that has ever been rumored to be a rivalry.
Interestingly enough, your comment did cause me to learn that in 1979, Notre Dame played Miami in Tokyo, Japan, in something called the Mirage Bowl.
I'd say Notre Dame's top rivals are USC, Michigan, and Michigan State. Stanford or Navy next.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:41 PM ^
You think the media "is in unison against him." The same media that repeatedly overestimates his team's potential. Because they're all SECRETLY CONSPIRING to sandbag him.
This fucking country.
September 24th, 2019 at 3:32 AM ^
Turn on the tv. Nobody likes Harbaugh. Its no mystery. I never felt that way about any coach but maybe outside of Cowherd he has no friends in the media. Not a conspiracy, they just dont like him.
September 24th, 2019 at 9:28 AM ^
It's because he's talked a bunch of shit and made himself the center of attention without actually winning anything. It's not that hard to figure out.
September 24th, 2019 at 10:16 AM ^
I don't think this, but I do think the media systemically over rates Michigan football teams. Not because they want to drag us down, but I think a lot of things about us that other programs strongly hate really make college football media types fawn over Michigan.
I think Ann Arbor is an idyllic college town, Michigan is the only consistently good football program that was considered to be a truly elite college. I think the national press visits and thanks "wow, so this is some Midwestern variation on Cambridge where the children of farmers and auto workers rub are transformed into scholars on Milton all while still competing at football just like the Ivy League did in 1911".
Journalism is an elite profession and I think for many journalists, Michigan is easier to identify with than any other college football power. If you are living in New York City, how many Alabama alumni do you talk to in the AP press pool? How many people make it from Clemson University to the world of big time journalism?
September 26th, 2019 at 4:15 AM ^
There are also a lot of Michigan alumni in the media (and everywhere else) too.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:33 PM ^
Funny, I thought Brian was experiencing cognitive issues when the Pitbull banner went up. People can right themselves, though.
September 24th, 2019 at 12:58 AM ^
now I am starting to wonder if the curse of the pitbul was not really a course at all, what if it was the difference for that Army game?
September 24th, 2019 at 8:24 AM ^
Well, Brian did play hockey for a while, and playing hockey can take a toll...
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:38 PM ^
The mental decline can be best expressed as apathy. At no time in Harbaugh's professional career, neither as a player or a coach, has he stayed anywhere longer than four years. Way back when Harbaugh was first announced as the new Michigan head coach, there were people suggesting, and none of us listening, that said Jim could turn a program around, but he didn't have the extra internal drive to sustain a program. Harbaugh is in uncharted territory, he's now in program maintenance phase and for many people, in many situations, that's just not terribly interesting.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:46 PM ^
quite honestly I would rather this be whats wrong than the other theory
September 24th, 2019 at 12:35 AM ^
Harbaugh was a Chicago Bear for 7 years. He did leave as a free agent. He was an Indianapolis Colt for 4 years, but it wasn't 5 because the Colts traded him to Baltimore. And then after that he was mostly playing the role of "getting older, bounce-around-the-league-as-a-serviceable-but-not-great-any-longer starting QB."
(I always forget, he was a Detroit Lion for a brief period of time!)
So I wouldn't point to his pro career in terms of "Harbaugh likes to bounce around."
Neither his coaching career either, to be honest. San Diego to Stanford? Everybody would make that move. Stanford to the NFL? Understandable move, great opportunity.. NFL to his alma mater? That one is understandable too, another great opportunity.
Yes, this is the first time he's coached anywhere more than 4 years. But I think that's more coincidence than anything.
September 24th, 2019 at 1:05 AM ^
It's not a coincidence that he chases challenges and when the challenge is over he moves on.
September 24th, 2019 at 9:20 AM ^
Jim Harbaugh was bouncing off the walls after beating MSU during a 10-game win streak less than 1 year ago and everyone had their pants off, dancing on OSU's post-Purdue grave, predicting CFP opponents and our program had turned the corner. People proclaimed that we'd murder Notre Dame if we had a rematch. He sure as fuck had the "extra internal drive" during the revenge tour.
We lost a game. Get a fucking grip. Nobody's happy after losing. His post-loss press conference sounds just like every one he's ever had here. A dejected competitor who's pissed about losing.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:40 PM ^
Nick Saban is pretty fiery and he does pretty well. I'm not saying that Harbaugh needs to throw another clipboard but he needs to pull Shea's jersey and say look at Nico fucking Collins after a three and out. No more aw shucks and butt slaps. If the players miss a block/tackle/cut etc., pull them and put somebody else out there.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:44 PM ^
holy shit!
This is so sad if it ends up being true.
I think the whole head injury thing is real in general. I watched the frontline documentary when it first came out and it changed everything about how I wanted to develop my son for sports. Before that we were throwing the football every day and I used to make up games where he and I were on a team and had to beat the buckeyes. he would be a star if he played.
Call me a hypocrite if you want, but I won't let him. I've steered him towards basketball.
Going back to Harbaugh, I hope it's something else and it's easily correctable if it's a personal thing with him
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:45 PM ^
Michigan fans have finally gone off the rails. This has truly gotten nuts.
Support the damn team, or don’t support it; support the coach, or don’t support the coach. But this kind of speculation should be completely out of bounds for Michigan grads, who presumably understand ethics and the limits of decency.
The fact that a football team isn’t playing well does not justify stooping to this; I don’t care who the source of the speculation may be.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:51 PM ^
you are right, its gonna be a long couple of weeks to be a Michigan fan
until the Iowa victory
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:59 PM ^
You're conflating two different things. The team isn't playing well because they're not very good nor are they very well-coached.
The Harbaugh speculation is because of the seeming 180-degree change in his demeanor.
September 24th, 2019 at 12:06 AM ^
There was far less discussion about it after wins. His last comment was based on that observation.