Florida sportswriter on Harbaugh: 'All sizzle, no steak'

Submitted by Mgrad92 on

Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times dismisses Harbaugh for Gator fans: 

"Whether it's because of the spike in enthusiasm or the antics themselves, Harbaugh has boosted Michigan's recruiting. From 2006-15, Michigan signed only two classes ranked in the top eight; Harbaugh has done that in back-to-back years — which, of course, he celebrated with celebrity-studded Signing of the Stars extravaganzas.

And that leads to the problem with Harbaugh. He's been almost all sizzle and no steak, unless you count the viral image of him with a hunk of red meat and a glass of milk."

Also, UF's Jim McElwain is just as good: 

"Harbaugh is 20-6. McElwain is 19-8 and would have a 20th win, if UF didn't have to cancel the Presbyterian cupcake because of the Hurricane Matthew fallout. Although Harbaugh has the head-to-head victory (a 41-7 demolition in the Citrus Bowl), McElwain has two division titles; Harbaugh has only finished third in the top-heavy Big Ten East."

Also, these roster hijinks are outrageous

If you need a reason to shake your fist at your screen this morning, read the full column here

MGoPoe

August 25th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^

Winning the SEC East feels a lot like the BIG West.  You have a perennial favorite (Florida/Wisconsin) fighting with a traditional ok to good power (Georgia/Tennessee/Nebraska/Iowa) and a slew of also rans every year.  Not winning the SEC East every year should be what Florida does.  Sure a Minnesota/South Carolina can come out of nowhere to take a game from them every year but c'mon man.

crg

August 25th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^

The counter arguement to that would be "But Mac just got there from CSU a year ago!  It wasn't his team!  The playmakers from that team had all checked out before the game because they were going pro!"

Beat them soundly this time and that goes away (only to be replaced by "It was in Texas and our team doesn't care about exhibition games! We still rule the SEC East!"

814 East U

August 25th, 2017 at 9:48 AM ^

The sooner people realize this is all bait the sooner these articles stop. Any douche canoe simply writes Harbaugh sucks, 3rd in division, no championships and the entire fan base flocks to that sire/article/comment section. Thats what they want.

We know what we have. No one would trade it. To hell with them...and ND.

UM Fan from Sydney

August 25th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^

These people are idiots. I don't think they realize how bad the state of the UM football program was when Jim was hired. What Jim has done after RR and Hoke decimated the program is nothing short of amazing. The man has had two fucking seasons. OMG HE HASN'T WON EVEN THE DIVISION YET OMG HE SUCKS AT COACHING AND IS OVERRATED! Give the guy some time. He has made the program ten times what RR and Hoke were able to do. The guy will win some championships, whether they be conference or national.

Mgrad92

August 25th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

Exactly what I told him — it's completely fair to say Michigan fans aren't going to be happy forever with 10-3, losses to Ohio and Citrus Bowl wins (even though I don't hear any complaints right now). 

But dismissing Michigan's first back-to-back 10-win seasons since 2002-03 as merely sizzle is a shameful misread of where the program was before he arrived. 

JonnyHintz

August 25th, 2017 at 1:12 PM ^

I've gotta be honest. I'm perfectly content winning 10 games every year and making it to top notch bowls. I mean obviously I'd be ecstatic and i WANT more, but we ended up pushing Carr out because he was that consistent 8-10 win coach. And look what the next two coaches put us through. Obviously I want more. But you'll never hear me bitching and moaning about a coach who is winning 10 games a year. Now I DO expect Harbaugh to surpass that, win a few conference titles, and at least MAKE a few CFPs. But I'll take endless 10 win seasons over a return to Rich Rod and Hoke.

bdneely4

August 25th, 2017 at 9:53 AM ^

Since Meyer left Florida, wouldn't all sizzle, no steak describe their program?  I realize they have won some conference championships on the weakest side of the SEC, but they are probably one of the most underachieving teams with all the freaking talent coming out of Florida HS.  Just keep feeding the beast that is known as Jim Harbaugh. GO BLUE!

MRJ2di

August 25th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^

...he humped a shark.  How beastly is that?  What coach out there is brave enough to nail a shark?  Saban?  Meyer?  Harbaugh?  No.  McElwain did it and then denied it either because he is modest or a gentleman.  

I am terrified of this Florida matchup and McElwain himself.  I hope the game is cancelled due to damage from the hurricane that is threatening Texas.

MRJ2di

August 25th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^

...he humped a shark.  How beastly is that?  What coach out there is brave enough to nail a shark?  Saban?  Meyer?  Harbaugh?  No.  McElwain did it and then denied it either because he is modest or a gentleman.  

I am terrified of this Florida matchup and McElwain himself.  I hope the game is cancelled due to damage from the hurricane that is threatening Texas.

Khaleke The Freak

August 25th, 2017 at 9:59 AM ^

that is one delusional sportswriter right there. Can't wait to see all the excuses after Florida gets pounded again.

In reply to by Khaleke The Freak

triangle_M

August 25th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^

Harbaugh articles get clicks, the metrics he quotes in the article demonstrate as much. Coach draws a lot of water nationally and he's got a local-ish game as an excuse to garner attention to the failing Tampa Bay Times.  Sad.

VintageBlue

August 25th, 2017 at 9:59 AM ^

32-7 in his last three seasons as a college coach and the 5th best winning percentage all-time as an NFL headcoach, but yea, all sizzle dude because JT was given an inch.