Unpopular board topic: Your HC preference if Harbaugh returned to NFL

Submitted by TK on January 12th, 2022 at 3:50 PM

I can tell this will probably be downvoted because this board does not like unpopular or controversial topics. But just like the transgender topic yesterday I have faith this board can handle the discussion. I think most all of us would prefer that Jim stays. The rumors have swung wildly back and forth and I’m sure Jim is probably the only one who knows for sure, and maybe he is still deciding himself. But it’s certainly a very real possibility that he could leave. And I certainly hope that Manuel has a plan in place if that were to happen. If you choose not to deal in the hypothetical, that it totally fine. But for those who don’t mind, who would be your preference to get the first call?  These are the names I have heard floated around through various outlets. 
 

1. Luke Fickell/ 2. Dave Aranda: Probably the 2 most successful coaches that people think we should call. I see zero chance that Fickell would accept the job here, but I will include him because if I don’t, people will bring him up. Not sure on Aranda. 

3. Josh Gattis: Broyles award winner, would be good for keeping things intact with what should be an exciting offense.

4  Mike Hart: Michigan legend and considered a bright young football mind. But he’s not even a coordinator and would he really jump over Gattis?

5. Bucs run game coordinator Harold Goodwin. Former UM lineman and respected enough to be the Bucs interim coach when Arians had Covid.

6.  Bama OC Bill O’Brien. Hard pass for me but I’ve seen his name floated. 
 

-So go ahead and rip this thread if you hate it, but I’m curious to know how people feel if we do find ourself looking for a new leader, which of course we hope we will not be.

 

MGoBoard

TK

January 12th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^

Why not? It’s a Michigan board where we discuss Michigan.  We know that there’s a definite non-zero chance that he could decide to move on. If that were to happen I am genuinely curious about which direction people would want us to go.

Joined: 09/23/2014

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Billy Ray Valentine

January 12th, 2022 at 4:13 PM ^

Why not? Because the conversation is not ripe. Period. Full stop. It might never be ripe. All recent reports indicate Harbaugh isn't going anywhere. Could that change? Sure. If it does, we're all on notice you're prepared to discuss replacements. Cool. 

 

I appreciate good, old fashioned speculation and intellectual masturbation as much as the next person, but this is different. Fergodsakes, Seth posted on the main page regarding this topic yesterday. The comments went for 3 pages. This adds nothing new other than some snowflake action. This post is as useful as sitting around the poker table with your dudes discussing the women you'd go after if your wife, who you are 100% committed to, were to leave you out of the blue (pun intended). Nothing good comes out of that conversation. Nothing good will come out of this thread. Generally speaking, nothing good comes out of conversations that are started on the premise that "there's a non-zero chance" of something happening.

 

This is an invitation to a fart fest, and I'm all farted out. 

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CMHCFB

January 12th, 2022 at 10:43 PM ^

Is it really problematic if someone posts a topic about a timely what if scenario regarding UM football on a UM football board?  There is an option to say “not interested in this topic” and keep scrolling.  Maybe it’s just me but I can’t not roll my eyes at  the crowd who rushes to shame the OP on half of the new threads.  You do you tho. 

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Catchafire

January 12th, 2022 at 3:54 PM ^

I'd probably be done with Michigan football tbh.  Two decades and not many wins against OSU.  Finally beat them and coach leaves?

Besides, I'm not a fan of today's college football where everything is fixated on money.

Joined: 09/30/2009

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Ezeh-E

January 12th, 2022 at 4:06 PM ^

I'd argue it's only more visible now.

The above-board paying and the ability of players to transfer like coaches do doesn't really change the underlying reality of some of the negatives of the sport but rather just decreases our ability to ignore that reality

Joined: 07/22/2009

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bluebrains98

January 12th, 2022 at 3:54 PM ^

Nobody likes these conversations even when we do need to have them, and now isn't one of those times. At best, you are perpetuating a rumor that does nothing but discourage recruits. Not saying this isn't a fair topic to think about in your own head, but most of us don't want to extend public discussions on this.

Joined: 01/14/2009

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TrueBlue2003

January 12th, 2022 at 5:53 PM ^

Yeah, I think he'd be my number 1.  He or Aranda.  I just can't imagine going after Fickell knowing OSU is the job he really wants.  He'd either turn us down (embarrassing) or leave us later for OSU (embarrassing and damaging), right?

And after those two, I'd rather have PJ Fleck than take a chance on giving someone their first HC job.

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LSA Aught One

January 12th, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^

Baseless, unnecessary speculation begets bullshit responses:

John Harbaugh, if only to prove his dominance once and for all, leaves the NFL and replaces Jim.  He brings his entire staff from the Ravens and Ray Lewis runs the NIL program.

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ERdocLSA2004

January 12th, 2022 at 5:08 PM ^

Still surprises me that anyone would suggest or want Fickell.  Maybe you are trying to continue the trend of M coaches leaving for OSU though.  If there is a current coach who bleeds more scarlet and gray than Fickell, let me know.  I’m not advocating for another Michigan man, but anyone with such strong and loyal ties to OSU(and none to us)should never be considered.

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TSimpson77

January 12th, 2022 at 3:58 PM ^

Whoever says Matt Campbell needs kicked in the shin, dude can't beat Iowa and is one of a short list of coaches who went from ranked top 10 to unranked. Hard pass on the soup!

I'd take Mike Hart or John Harbaugh 

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blueheron

January 12th, 2022 at 5:16 PM ^

TSimpson77 says that Mike Hart is a more reasonable candidate than Matt Campbell.

"T," whatever you think of Matt Campbell, that's a ridiculous take. Why should Hart be the head coach?

One thing you can't throw out: "He understands the rivalry." That's always a ridiculous idea, but if your reasoning is that poor you'd have to notice that he went 0-4 in "the rivalry" as a player so his "understanding" might be shaky.

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