Nico Collins says nice things about Harbaugh. Taylor Lewan? Not so much.
Posted without much comment from me other than the obligatory "consider the source" disclaimer. Lewan gave an interview today to Brandon Brown (and yes I know he's no favorite around here either) where he had some very harsh words about the state of the program today and what he thinks Michigan needs to do to fix things.
"Taylor Lewan thinks Jim Harbaugh should be gone" and he pretty much goes in from there. He's definitely not a fan that's for sure.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:11 PM ^
<listening/watching the episode on Youtube>
Taylor's comment about the Coeds at Az St vs Michigan ?
And Chad's explanation about how he chose his various baby momma's is quite interesting.
Love Chad's McDonald's dating test. ?
February 11th, 2021 at 8:43 PM ^
And Chad's explanation about how he chose his various baby momma's is quite interesting.
Does it line up with the crazy/hot matrix?
February 11th, 2021 at 8:55 PM ^
Ocho Cinco wants to see TAPE,
February 11th, 2021 at 9:14 PM ^
No, not at all. I don't know if he is being facetious but it is worth a listen just to hear how his mind works. He's definitely controversial.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:11 PM ^
To Harbaugh's defense, it was the RR fail that created Dantonio's program... he got all the plan B guys from OSU that traditionally kept our program strong... and when JH got here, Dantonio was in full form... and KNOW THIS.... JH defeated that program essentially... and took back the state... we were at a turning point, where MSU could have been the premier state program, and JH shut it down.... period.... he needs to get this credit, and especially from a guy like Lewan.... sure, it sucks we lost to them last year... and it sucks that the Brown hire didn't pan out, and we dwindled with these smallish players on defense... but JH has reset things and this new staff will be bringing elite players back into the program.
And aside, I wish he kept it in house...there is an argument that the cold truth is better in the long run, and I won't argue with that..... but what he said, while alot is true, but needs to be put in perspective.
If JH could have a do over, I can assure you he'd have gone with young Durkin type guys with the requirement they are ace recruiters, from the getgo, over superior coaches, which was he was used to in the NFL. While guys like Zordich and Brown and Warinner are great coaches, over time, unless you're winning big, you won't get the top players.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:19 PM ^
You give Harbaugh way too much credit. Yes, he made the games against MSU more competitive, traded Paul Bunyan back and forth, and has taken back in-state recruiting for the most part.
However, a lot of that is also due to the absolute dumpster fire that is MSU's athletic department. The various scandals, Mark Dantanio's own cantankerous personality, and the dark cloud of U.S. government investigations into their program over the years has probably done as much if not more damage to their football program over the long term than Harbaugh has.
Basically, if Harbaugh were truly the grim reaper to MSU football then he should have a better record than 3-3 against them.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:24 PM ^
Well MSU was at their absolute peak, and were stacked for years, when Harbaugh came in. It is no small accomplishment to make that momentum go away. Hoke left a ton of talent, too, I should say...but going forward, all the top recruits, save Barnett, came to us. Recall he beat them in EL with Speight. Now...his recruiting can be argued as poor overall, after Hoke's guys left. But I don't think it was a coincidence that they faded at the same time as we rose.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:37 PM ^
Michigan had already taken back the state in terms of recruiting under Hoke. Dantonio's fall started when the 2016 team had a bunch of players kicked off and they stopped getting the plan B guys in Ohio, they started to go to Kentucky and Cincinnati.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:52 PM ^
This is true... once Tressel left, the gravy train was over...
February 11th, 2021 at 8:03 PM ^
Um, no...wrong again...Tressel left after 2010 when they were just getting started.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:56 PM ^
Well MSU was at their absolute peak, and were stacked for years, when Harbaugh came in.
Yes. 2015 was undoubtedly the peak of MSU under Mork. Harbaugh and Michigan lost to them that year. Granted, they lost in the most unbelievable, implausible, and unmiraculous (or miraculous for MSU) way possible, but an L is an L.
It is no small accomplishment to make that momentum go away.
Yes, but you are attributing the stoppage of that momentum almost entirely to Harbaugh. I just don't think that's accurate. He certainly has affected the 'turning of the tables' in a major way. But how much of the death of MSU's most successful football era is due to their historically great HC becoming disinterested and also being involved in numerous off-the-field scandals? How much is it due to the Larry Nasar cover up which stained the University and crippled the athletic department? I am simply contending with your argument; ascribing the entire downfall of MSU from its rise to the top unto Harbaugh when the case for that is not as strong.
Recall he beat them in EL with Speight.
Your point being? 2016 version Wilton Speight is probably the third-best, pushing for second-best, season QB during Harbaugh's tenure. That 2016 MSU team also went 3-9...
Now...his recruiting can be argued as poor overall, after Hoke's guys left. But I don't think it was a coincidence that they faded at the same time as we rose.
Whose recruiting? Harbaugh's? Certainly our recruiting has been very 'hit or miss' in a major way, but I wouldn't classify it as entirely poor overall. Also, they faded as we rose? What are you talking about?
During Hoke's tenure:
UM average recruiting class ranking: 18 (the first t Hoke classes were 6 and 4 respectively)
MSU average recruiting class ranking: 30
During Harbaugh's tenure:
UM average recruiting class ranking: 11
MSU average recruiting class ranking: 34
Pretty good improvement from UM under Harbaugh, not much movement from MSU. Granted, the last class by Dantonio and Tucker's first class are being buoyed by a strong '16 class from MSU, but we will need to wait and see how Tucker does after another cycle or two.
February 12th, 2021 at 1:08 AM ^
"Stacked for years"
-Said no one about MSU football ever...
February 12th, 2021 at 2:38 PM ^
Dantion's success was a combination of factors of which luck ran fairly strong. Dantonio's first Big Ten Title was actually a three-way split of the Title because the Big Ten did not have Divisions back then. No Ohio State on the schedule and a win against Wisconsin let Ohio State, Wisconsin and MIchigan State all split the Title that year. Of course, Michigan State went on to play Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl and was blown out 49-9. In case you were wanting to do a comparison, with no Divisions like Dantonio had in 2010, Harbaugh in his 4th season would have also split the Big Ten Title with Ohio State in 2018.
Dantonio caught some more luck in that the Big Ten created that Legends & Leaders Divisions. That stuck Michigan State having to go against Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, and Minnesota every year for a Division Title. No going head to head with Ohio State for that trip to Indy. Better yet, the schedule dictated that Michigan State didn't even have to play Ohio State every season. So with a down Michigan program, where was the competition?
2014 comes and suddenly the Big Ten decides that another realignment is in order with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers. Suddenly, Michigan State is in the Big Ten East having to play Ohio State every season and look at what happens to their record? The Big Ten goes even further and eliminates a cup cake from schedule and makes everyone play 9 Big Ten games.
Michigan State did win a Big Ten Championship playing in the East but again caught some luck playing Ohio State in a hurricane and the incredible finish against Michigan. Luck only lasts for so long and suddenly playing a refocused Penn State. A rebuilt Michigan under Harbaugh plus Ohio State every season and those lofty win totals and Titles went away.
Hey Dantonio had a great run at State just don't sit back and compare it to playing in the Big Ten East now. You can't compare the two.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:55 PM ^
"To Harbaugh's defense, it was the RR fail that created Dantonio's program ..."
No.
But, it's not surprising that you would think so.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:12 PM ^
Who cares
February 11th, 2021 at 7:13 PM ^
Taylor Lewan is a POS. We've had tireless conversations and evidence presented confirming this. Not too may players that I'm embarrassed about donning the wings and wearing the Maize & Blue but he is one of the very few.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:21 PM ^
He’s not completely wrong...UM has had enough talent on paper every year more or less to beat everybody in FBS except the Bama/OSU/Clemsons of the world and hasn’t been able to do it...Not to say he can’t or won’t get UM there, but he has had the talent to be better...
February 11th, 2021 at 7:24 PM ^
He didn’t play for Harbaugh?
February 11th, 2021 at 7:31 PM ^
When I got there in 2009 Rich Rodriguez was there," Lewan said. "The whole time Rich Rodriguez was there, all they wanted was Harbaugh. Then Brady Hoke came in from San Diego State. All they wanted while Brady Hoke was there was Harbaugh. "Now Harbaugh is there."
Well, I'm not a huge Lewan fan, but he couldn't have put it any better than that.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:37 PM ^
Ahem.
Fuck Taylor lewan.
That is all.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:39 PM ^
What’s the next title? Taylor Lewan doesn’t like Harbaugh, and Vincent Smith says,”make your block M, before you trash our coach!”
February 11th, 2021 at 7:47 PM ^
Be patient guys. JH just needs six more years.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:51 PM ^
an enemy of taylor lewan is my friend
February 11th, 2021 at 7:56 PM ^
After the interview Taylor rode off on his bicycle built for two.
February 11th, 2021 at 8:10 PM ^
I think I'll sing a hymn for Taylor Lewan...
"Him, him, fuck him"
February 11th, 2021 at 8:15 PM ^
What exactly did Lewan say that was incorrect?
February 12th, 2021 at 1:17 AM ^
Nothing actually.
By the comments, most people here clearly didn't read the article. Taylor (love him or hate him) just pointed out what everyone around here already knows and often posts. Harbaugh, for all his esteem and "guru" status, has not gotten it done so far here at Michigan. He out-recruits every team except for Ohio State and yet consistently doesn't look it. Taylor mostly attacked the development of the talent that Harbaugh has brought in, based on results on the field. Taylor also pointed out that Dantonio took underrated recruits and turned them into literal championship winners...he also cratered the program harder than almost anyone LOL, but still it's mostly a fair point. Harbaugh hasn't even made it to Indy.
It sounds like Taylor is a bit bitter that the coaching staff he came to play for was undermined by the university and boosters (ie. Taylor saying that when Rich Rod was here, all anyone wanted was Harbaugh, and the same while Hoke was here) and now that they have Harbaugh the team still can't get it done.
Hopefully the (mostly) new coaching staff is finally able to get this program over the hump. Guess we'll find out in 7 months, eh?
February 11th, 2021 at 8:30 PM ^
If Taylor Lewan is not a fan, we all should be.
February 11th, 2021 at 8:38 PM ^
No love lost over Harbaugh.
But Lewan is a douchebag...who cares what he thinks?
February 11th, 2021 at 9:34 PM ^
Think Ill take the word of Nico, who was actually in the program, over Taylor.
February 11th, 2021 at 9:57 PM ^
Taylor threatened to rape a young woman.
I'm sure I will get well down the list of opinions I consult before reaching his.
February 11th, 2021 at 10:04 PM ^
Lol Brandon brown. Also, Taylor isn't wrong. But he's probably a bad person.
February 11th, 2021 at 10:04 PM ^
Says the guy who never played for Harbaugh and got involved with more than his fair share of off field shit at UM?
He’s an amazing football player. No disputing that. But he seems like a less than stellar person. I’ll take Nico’s word on Harbaugh over a guy who never played for him.
February 11th, 2021 at 10:07 PM ^
Lewan is correct and his facts are correct. Harbaugh has not gotten "it" done at Michigan.
Harbaugh agrees (his contract shows this).
February 12th, 2021 at 12:02 AM ^
Their not allowed to have their opinions. His opinion affects my life a great deal. How am I going to sleep tonight? I could take getting anally eviscerated by OSU for a decade plus, but an opinion by Lewan is just too much. I'm gonna go weep into a MyPillow and stick a rusty nail into my eye just so I can feel anything. Someone put me out of my misery. Please. I beg you. I just can't take the internet opinions. My life is soooooo affected by them. I hate you Taylor Lewan!!!! You have a girls name. TWO girls names.
February 12th, 2021 at 12:33 AM ^
"Winning takes time," Lewan said. "One coach in three years, another coach in four years — the older guys that were recruited start to flourish, and eventually you're going to get the results.
"Things take time, things take patience. It's not my job to say who should be the coach, but in my opinion you can't find a better coach than coach Hoke and the coaches there and the strength and conditioning staff, because they care so much about the kids and care about the tradition of the University of Michigan.
"He's an awesome man. In my opinion, it wasn't fair. The best thing about Brady, not even talking about him as a coach, you couldn't ask for a greater individual. People might say to that, 'Well, we care about wins.' But great things take time. He was gonna get what you want eventually, but you had to be patient. I feel for him."
-Taylor Lewan on the firing of Brady Hoke
February 12th, 2021 at 9:28 AM ^
I will say that my opinion of Brady Hoke changed A LOT after reading Bacon’s “Endzone”. He definitely loved his players; sucks that they couldn’t get the results he needed to stay on.
February 12th, 2021 at 2:12 AM ^
That might be the most useless piece of drivel I've ever read. I'm not a JH slappy by any means but Lewan makes no coherent points in that article and comes off like a guy with a low IQ. Waste of time reading that.
February 12th, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
The Team, The Team, The Team.....
February 12th, 2021 at 11:54 AM ^
The difference between Lewan and Collins in this case is that Collins actually played for Harbaugh while Lewan is on the outside looking in
February 12th, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
That's actually 2 endorsements for Harbaugh--a negative from Lewan should count as a positive.
February 12th, 2021 at 12:23 PM ^
A lot of former players turned sour on Harbaugh after the 2 and 4 season last year. I don't blame them or I can't blame them.
Let's hope 2021 turns out much better. I'll stay positive and see how the season goes.
February 12th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
Who cares what Lewan has to say! What he did is disgusting and if you consider him a wolverine or are a fan I have nothing for you