Mike Hart offered RB coach job at Michigan

Submitted by GhostofJermain… on January 13th, 2021 at 9:14 AM

Lots of smoke to this, so I reached out just now and was told Mike Hart has been offered the RB coach job at Michigan, no word on whether or not he's accepting the job.  Makes a lot of sense why JayBaugh is now ST coach.  

 

Pretty sure UMBIG11 and others may have broke this news, but I was able to confirm the rumors just now.

 

Cheers

JonathanE

January 13th, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^

Why exactly is Indiana "a better program"? 

I would be cautious about using the 2020 season for gaging anything. Let's see how Indiana looks when everyone has a spring practice with a full training camp. Outside of 2020, Tom Allen's best season was an 8-5 records which was equal to Harbaugh's worst season. I know I said to not read a whole lot into 2020, but Indiana ended the year losing to a 5-5 Ole Miss team. 

The Michigan position is much better, especially for an alum. 

 

Fishbulb

January 13th, 2021 at 9:52 AM ^

This one makes sense (as opposed to Woodson to coach defensive backs). Hart is an experienced coach and has risen through the ranks. He’s feisty too—remember his rant about Harbaugh a couple years ago? Hoping he can be that recruiting wild animal they need. 

Preacher Mike

January 13th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^

Hey, I'll be happy if he comes over. But if he's not being offered more than RB coach, given Harbaugh's unstable position, I would not be surprised at all if he decides the situation he has now is preferable. I get this is his alma mater that he loves. But if he thinks Jim could get fired in a year and he will be on the street with him, I don't think it's crazy for him to see that as too big a risk.

Preacher Mike

January 13th, 2021 at 10:12 AM ^

I think it's reasonable to see the buyout being so low as basically a message from Manuel saying that Harbaugh has a short leash. If he goes 7-5 this year in the regular season and the recruiting class is mediocre, I think Harbaugh is gone. And I think those outcomes are highly possible. 

I also think 9-3 and a top ten recruiting class are possible, and I think that would make Harbaugh's situation considerably better. But it is very fluid, I think, despite the appearance Manuel tried to give by making the extension 5 years.

ERdocLSA2004

January 13th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^

I guess it depends on how you define “unstable”.  His extension was written to be anything but a long term option.  In 2 years he’ll either be fired or achieve greatness and renegotiate.  Either way, something will happen in two years and I’m not sure that has ever been the case with a contract extension at Michigan.  No one reading the terms of this contract is going to feel like Harbaugh isn’t still on the hot seat.

Blue Middle

January 13th, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^

Job #1 is actually determining the rotation.  Haskins and Corum looked every bit as good as ZC and Edwards will be a true freshman.

It's certainly a first-world problem, but Hart will have to design a rotation that:

  • Identifies our best talent and has a clear #1
  • Uses all of our talent effectively
  • Keeps everyone happy, if possible

That is no easy task, but we can't have another year of a "4-headed monster" where no RB ever gets a rhythm.

Naked Bootlegger

January 13th, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^

Wow.   Past differences are apparently water under the bridge between Harbaugh and Hart.   It's nice to see.   And while we lament the "Michigan Man" qualifications that sometimes held us hostage, Hart seems extremely qualified for the position.

Wolverine In Exile

January 13th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^

Hart also has good ties to the SW Ohio and Mid-South Indiana / Kentucky recruiting areas. I know he personally has a lot of friends in the Dayton area coaching scene (he used to come to Dayton area a lot when he was still playing in Indy for social reasons). Not a hotbed, but additional inroads to talent bases in Dayton / Cincinnati / Indianapolis is good. 

RockinLoud

January 13th, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^

Cool! Except that changes nothing I said. Playing a position well doesn't mean you can coach it well. Recruiting potential in some hyopthetical world is not evidence of actual recruiting ability. You need to understand a scheme to coach a player to translate fundamentals to results within a system, and having zero experience playing or coaching against modern CFB offenses has a learning curve regardless of how smart you are.

Perkis-Size Me

January 13th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^

If it’s true, then I’m guessing Hart has resolved whatever grievance he might’ve had with Harbaugh. I’m pretty sure at one point, after Harbaugh made his comments about Michigan academics sliding for football players, Hart said he wasn’t a true Michigan man and he’d never want to meet him or shake his hand. 

I would guess that 13 or 14 years passing allow someone to do that. But if he shows up, I don’t care that he’s an alum. Can he recruit, and can he coach? That is all I care about. That is all that anyone should care about. 

Doclosh

January 13th, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^

I think that Jay Harbaugh deserves a lot of credit for his coaching of the running backs and his willingness to step aside to accommodate a new RB coach going forward.  I think Jay will do a great job with special teams.

As for Mike Hart, he is one of my favorite Michigan players of all-time (the others are Charles and Jim) due to his tenacious determination to succeed.  That, and his success with less talented players at Indiana, makes this a great choice for me.

Doclosh

January 13th, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^

I think that Jay Harbaugh deserves a lot of credit for his coaching of the running backs and his willingness to step aside to accommodate a new RB coach going forward.  I think Jay will do a great job with special teams.

As for Mike Hart, he is one of my favorite Michigan players of all-time (the others are Charles and Jim) due to his tenacious determination to succeed.  That, and his success with less talented players at Indiana, makes this a great choice for me.

Doclosh

January 13th, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^

I think that Jay Harbaugh deserves a lot of credit for his coaching of the running backs and his willingness to step aside to accommodate a new RB coach going forward.  I think Jay will do a great job with special teams.

As for Mike Hart, he is one of my favorite Michigan players of all-time (the others are Charles and Jim) due to his tenacious determination to succeed.  That, and his success with less talented players at Indiana, makes this a great choice for me.