Semi-regular Jay Harbaugh appreciation thread

Submitted by AZBlue on October 26th, 2022 at 6:33 PM

Saw the attached photo / stat Via Twitter (c/o @swankywolverine) and noticed that THREE of the top 5 college RBs per PFF were all committed to UM at one point in the process.  Heck of a job identifying and recruiting by the M staff and particularly the RB coach at the time - Jay Harbaugh.

Eric Gray didn’t make it to campus but still a pretty amazing recruiting haul at RB.  I am guessing coach Hart will be a better developer but he has a way to go to match Jaybaugh’s recruiting chops.

 

Go Blue - Crush Sparty

running backs

AZBlue

October 26th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^

Of course pasting a photo doesn't work (even though it showed on my screen before posting....)

 

Summary - PFF stat of top RBs in college YTD.

#1 Blake Corum - 92.9

#2 Bijan Robinson (TX) - 92.0

#3 Eric Gray (OU) - 91.4

#4 Chris Rodriguez Jr. (UK) - 90.8

#5 Zach Charbonnet (UCLA) - 90.5

 

Joined: 09/14/2008

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MGoArchive

October 26th, 2022 at 7:21 PM ^

I'm coming around to him being Michigan's Coach, if he coaches at a smaller P5 program and is successful. Above average success at a P5 program for three years is pretty much the currency for upward movement these days.

Joined: 05/13/2013

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Punter

October 26th, 2022 at 7:36 PM ^

Was curious about Jay's pre-Michigan history, so here are some interesting tidbits from Wikipedia:

-33 years old
-Played D line in high school, but knee injuries ended his career
-All of his prior coaching stops are in some way linked to his family's football connections
-He was on staff with the Ravens when they beat Jim Harbaugh's 49ers squad in Super Bowl XLVII

Can't argue with his success at M!

Joined: 10/15/2021

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1VaBlue1

October 27th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^

He knew he wasn't playing football beyond HS, and he wanted to coach.  So he chose Oregon St because that is where Mike Riley coached at the time.  His goal was specifically to learn how to coach football.  He chose to study under Riley because his dad, uncle, and grandfather knew Riley and had great mutual respect.

John may have given Jay a start - you generally have to know someone to get in anywhere, but the kid worked to learn the trade and has excelled at it.

 

Joined: 01/31/2016

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RedRum

October 26th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^

I like that he is competent at his job. I think UM is getting a steal. This might be a situation where nepotism is working in the opposite direction. 

Joined: 08/20/2017

MGoPoints: 21539

SF Wolverine

October 26th, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^

Hate to say this from a short-term perspective, but would love to see him get a P5 coordinator position or a lower-end P5/smaller D1 head coaching position for a few years.  See what he does not in his Dad's shadow.  My guess is that makes it clear he'd be a good HC at Michigan when Jim hangs them up.

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